Special police unit reports 12 custodial deaths in last two months

 

A special police unit dedicated to investigating custodial deaths has reported 12 such cases in the last two months, according to Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin.

In a written parliamentary reply to Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, Hamzah (above) noted that the unit received 12 reports from Jan 1 to Feb 28 this year.

Of the 12 total reported deaths, five deaths took place in lock-ups.

The seven other deaths included one case where the victim died on the way to the hospital and six cases where the victims passed on while receiving medical treatment at a hospital.

“Of all these cases, one custodial death case - that took place in Taiping - led to the arrest of two detainees and two police officers who were charged under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“The 11 other cases are still under investigation in the process of being forwarded to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further instruction,” Hamzah said.

The special unit - which was first announced on Dec 6, 2021 - began its operation on Jan 1 this year.

The home minister said the special team, which is to be known as the Criminal Investigation Unit on Deaths in Custody, would comprise 12 police personnel and one civilian staff.

All deaths involving detainees are to be handled by the special unit. - Mkini