As the ripples spread from an unfortunate remark attributed to Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar, there is also much confusion over the chain of events that sparked the controversy and the subsequent local media blackout.

This began when Noh reportedly told foreigners to stay away from Malaysia if they felt that the police were cruel.

His remark during a press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday made it into the 5pm news slot in Mandarin by private broadcaster ntv7 .

It is learnt that an hour later the station received a call from someone claiming there was a directive from the Prime Minister's Department to remove the footage from subsequent news slots in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin.

In addition the Penang-based Kwong Wah Yit Poh - among other Chinese dailies - published the controversial remark in its evening edition yesterday.

In that report, Noh was quoted as urging Malaysians to respect the police's tireless work in maintaining social security despite having to deal with a few million migrant workers.

He said no one respected the police and that if they (police) were really cruel, there would not be many people coming to Malaysia.

Then he reportedly said that, if foreigners thought the police were cruel, they could choose not to stay here or return to their own country.

Noh was also quoted as saying that this would relieve the government from paying a few million ringgit in salary each year and that there would be no fighting among migrant workers which posed a threat to social security.

In its report today, Singapore's Straits Times quoted Noh as saying the same thing - suggesting that foreigners who think Malaysia is cruel should go home.

Local tabloid The Malay Mail described Noh as having lost his cool during the press conference, after repeated badgering by the foreign media about the video-clip showing a female police detainee being asked to do ear-squats in the nude.

The paper reported that Noh's remark drew disbelief from the media.

It is learnt that, at today's press conference, Noh had asked a ntv7 reporter for a copy of the footage.

Calls of outrage

In a statement, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang demanded Noh's suspension for provoking a "firestorm of outrage" by displaying his contempt for public opinion and human rights.

"After Noh's arrogant and contemptuous statement was shown on TV last night, I was swarmed with calls of outrage, demanding punitive action to be taken against him to salvage the image of the government and country," he said today, prior to Noh's explanation .

Picking up on the original issue of alleged police misconduct, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) public complaints and inquiry working group head Prof Mohd Hamdan Adnan said the government should consider recommendations already submitted.

Despite allegations of police misconduct being well-documented, he said the government has chosen to turn a blind eye to Suhakam's "constructive proposals" based on alleged incidents of abuse of power and human rights violations.

He said it is time for the government to streamline the rules and guidelines on arrests and treatment of detainees while in custody, to bring these in line with international human rights standards in order to prevent violations.

The police, Mohd Hamdan said, should periodically review all related rules, instructions, methods and practice to ensure compliance with the most stringent standards.

In this respect, international standards prohibiting inhuman or degrading treatment in the education and training programme for police officers should be incorporated.

Commenting on the video-clip of a woman allegedly being told to do ear-squats in the nude, Mohd Hamdan said he hoped the exposure would prompt the implementation of the special commission's recommendations for an independent police watchdog body.

"It should be realised that treatment of detainees while in custody is a measure of professionalism, ethical standards and proficiency of the entire police force," he added.