One month has passed since the controversial death of 23-year-old car theft suspect A Kugan in police custody, but his spirit still lingers on in Parliament today as a BN MP stood up in protest over the issue.

abdul ghapur salleh Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) has expressed his disappointment over the investigation into Kugan’s death as no one from the police force has been charged so far.

He stressed that an independent inquiry should be set up to investigate the police officers who are alleged to be involved in the case.

The independent inquiry, he explained, could be set up by anybody as long as it runs impartially and is not bias in favour of the police.

a kugan detention death funeral ummc to puchong 280109 “We cannot defend the police who are criminals. Even if the Indian boy (Kugan) was a criminal, it was not up to the police to punish him,” the outspoken MP told the House during his Royal Address speech.

Abdul Ghapur also expressed his dissatisfaction over the police investigations into two deputy ministers - SK Devamany and T Murugiah. The two were investigated over the “barge-in” at the mortuary last month.

“They were there to help the family and also to express their sympathies, but why were they investigated? Police are the ones who should be investigated here!

“If I knew about it (Kugan’s custodial death) in the first place, I would have joined them!” exclaimed Abdul Ghapur.

Severe lacerations on body

Kugan who was first arrested on Jan 15 for suspected involvement in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang, died at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya five days later.

kugan detainee death morgue scene 220109 A video clip taken at the Serdang Hospital mortuary revealed severe lacerations on the body of the deceased, prompting the family to allege foul play.

The incident also sparked off a huge public outcry with various quarters, including political parties holding demonstrations.

Following this, the attorney-general re-classified the case as murder and 11 police personnel were reassigned to desk duty. Selangor chief police Khalid Abu Bakar was also called to give statements pertaining to the matter.

Met later in the lobby, Abdul Ghapur said the government would have to pay a big price if it does not do something to solve the matter.

“Otherwise, the next (political) tsunami will sweep us all,” he said, adding that people would start losing confidence in the police force and the BN government would lose the federal government in the next general election.

a kugan detention death funeral ummc to puchong 280109 19 When asked as to why Kugan’s custodial death has got his attention rather than previous similar cases, Abdul Ghapur said Kugan’s case was such a “high-profile” one that it was constantly highlighted in the media.

“We also want the police to behave. So, we must have an independent investigation and the investigator must report the outcome to the public,” he said.

Abdul Ghapur further agreed that the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), as recommended by the Royal Commission “would be the perfect body” in investigating such cases in the future.