The family of factory worker Kamarulnizam Ismail, who died while being held at the Tapah Prison last month, wants an inquest in open court to determine the cause of his death.
Suaram (Penang branch) spokesperson Ong Jing Cheng (right) said the family, supported by several NGOs and political parties, has handed over a five-point memorandum to state police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi on the incident that occurred on March 8.
Other than a request to convene an open inquest, Ong said, the memorandum demands that the police provide real answers as to the cause of Kamarulnizam's death.
"We are disappointed that no concrete action has been taken to explain the case. We hope such incidents will not happen again," he told a press conference in front of the state police headquarters on Jalan Penang yesterday.
Accompanying Ong were Kamarulnizam's brother Kamaruzzaman and their father, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and assemblypersons Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya) and Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok).
Others present were Amnesty International lawyer Clement Ong, Bersih Northern Region coordinator Toh Kin Woon, PSM representative Choo Chon Kai and PKR members Peter Lim and Mohd Hafizan Marzhuki.
Kamarulnizam, 39 (left), who worked in a sugar factory, was detained in the Seberang Perai Tengah (Bandar Perda) police station lock-up on March 3 before being sent to the Tapah prison on March 6.
According to Kamaruzzaman, bruises were seen on the right cheek and under the left arm of Kamarulnizam’s body. However, the prison authorities claimed he died from chest infection.
In the memorandum, the groups told Rahim to ensure an immediate investigation into the officers on duty whenever there is a custodial death, in order to determine how the detainee died.
The lock-up officer, the the memorandum pointed out, should be held responsible for the health and condition of detainees.
The group wants such investigations to be carried out by the police headquarters, so as to ensure transparency and to prevent bias.
"Set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission as the current Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission has no power to investigate or charge police for any wrongdoing," the memorandum added.
"Stop all kinds of torture and abuse in the lock-up to avoid custodial deaths.”
Suaram (Penang branch) spokesperson Ong Jing Cheng (right) said the family, supported by several NGOs and political parties, has handed over a five-point memorandum to state police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi on the incident that occurred on March 8.Other than a request to convene an open inquest, Ong said, the memorandum demands that the police provide real answers as to the cause of Kamarulnizam's death.
"We are disappointed that no concrete action has been taken to explain the case. We hope such incidents will not happen again," he told a press conference in front of the state police headquarters on Jalan Penang yesterday.
Accompanying Ong were Kamarulnizam's brother Kamaruzzaman and their father, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim and assemblypersons Dr Afif Bahardin (Seberang Jaya) and Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok).
Others present were Amnesty International lawyer Clement Ong, Bersih Northern Region coordinator Toh Kin Woon, PSM representative Choo Chon Kai and PKR members Peter Lim and Mohd Hafizan Marzhuki.
Kamarulnizam, 39 (left), who worked in a sugar factory, was detained in the Seberang Perai Tengah (Bandar Perda) police station lock-up on March 3 before being sent to the Tapah prison on March 6.According to Kamaruzzaman, bruises were seen on the right cheek and under the left arm of Kamarulnizam’s body. However, the prison authorities claimed he died from chest infection.
In the memorandum, the groups told Rahim to ensure an immediate investigation into the officers on duty whenever there is a custodial death, in order to determine how the detainee died.
The lock-up officer, the the memorandum pointed out, should be held responsible for the health and condition of detainees.
The group wants such investigations to be carried out by the police headquarters, so as to ensure transparency and to prevent bias.
"Set up the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission as the current Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission has no power to investigate or charge police for any wrongdoing," the memorandum added.
"Stop all kinds of torture and abuse in the lock-up to avoid custodial deaths.”
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