Country sees 10th custodial death two months into 2022
Cops have reported the 10th death of a detainee while in police custody this year.
In the latest incident, a 49-year-old man who was detained under the Dangerous Act 1952 died in a lockup in Johor after complaining of difficulty in breathing.
Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards...
Cops have reported the 10th death of a detainee while in police custody this year.
In the latest incident, a 49-year-old man who was detained under the Dangerous Act 1952 died in a lockup in Johor after complaining of difficulty in breathing.
Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department director Azri Ahmad (above) said the detainee was arrested on Feb 3 and charged in court on Feb 7.
He was charged with drug possession. The charge was framed under Section 39(A)(1) which provides a heavier penalty for possession of drugs above a stipulated limit that ranges between 5g to 50g depending on drug type.
Under the section, the punishment ranges from five years imprisonment to life and at least 10 strokes of whipping.
He continued to be detained at the Seri Alam police station lockup in Johor Bahru after not being granted bail, pending his case mention on April 10.
"On Feb 16 at 12.45pm, the detainee complained of breathing difficulty and was sent to Sultan Ismail Hospital, Johor Bharu for treatment.
"On Feb 19 at 7am, the detainee was found unconscious in his lockup. The coroner was called to the location and confirmed that he had died," he said in a statement last night.
Azri said the body was sent to Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Bahru and it was confirmed that the deceased had Covid-19.
"The cause of death is not yet known and will depend on the analysis report and pathology laboratory test," he said.
He said the Death in Custody Investigation Unit is investigating the matter.
Two cops arrested
On Feb 9, police confirmed that there had been seven cases of custodial death this year with one of them found to have criminal elements. Two police officers were arrested.
Since then, police have reported at least another three custodial death cases including the latest one.
On Feb 14, a 39-year-old man died within two hours after being arrested and being brought to the Gombak district police headquarters in Selangor.
He had complained of difficulty in breathing and was brought to the Selayang Hospital.
On Feb 18, a man who had been detained at the Kota Tinggi police lock-up in Johor after being charged and was not granted bail since Jan 25, was tested positive for Covid-19 on Feb 16 and later warded. He died two days later.
In the past, custodial deaths cases were not disclosed to the public unless they are raised by family members or civil society.
However, beginning this year, police through its newly set up Death in Custody Investigation Unit under the Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department has made it a standard practice to make public such cases.
While the improved transparency has been a welcomed move, it also highlighted the frequency of custodial deaths and the gravity of the issue.
Human rights groups have also been sceptical of police investigating their own officers over custodial death due to conflict of interest concerns, pushing instead for independent bodies to investigate such as a coroner's court.
Related report:
Custodial deaths - a regular occurrence with no end in sight
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