Further pressure mounts on the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Musa Hassan in improving the police's image as a female detainee died while in custody for a drug-related charge.

Police Watch Malaysia legal advisor P Utahayakumar said that Musa must implement the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) as soon as possible to prevent any possible cover-up in the case.

He added that the death of a woman under detention was a first in the organisation's 12-year record.

"Never has this happened before in our history and we're now trying to locate her family for more information", he told malaysiakini.

It was reported that Samiyaty Intrayani Zulkainam, 45, was found dead in her cell by a police guard in the Wangsa Maju police station yesterday.

Sentul police chief ACP Mohd Rodzi Ismail said the case has been classified as sudden death and ruled out foul play. Her body was sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital at about 3am.

The police are waiting for the post mortem report to ascertain the cause of death.

Samiyaty was arrested at around 10:30pm on Sunday in her home in Datuk Keramat, Hulu Kelang under suspicion of being a drug addict.

No cover-up, please

Uthayakumar voiced several concerns namely the request for the post mortem not to be done locally to avoid potential police cover-up.

"Based on previous experiences, we appeal that an independent post mortem be conducted in a foreign or neighbouring country as our police work very closely with local hospitals," he said.

He also criticised the police for publishing negative and damaging details about the deceased who is unable to defend herself.

The report had stated that she was unemployed and had a previous drug conviction.

"The publication was done in bad faith and we appeal that the police officer who issued this information be prosecuted for criminal defamation" he added.