Malacca police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar remains unfazed after the fatal shooting of three suspected criminals was classified as a murder investigation.
“We do not feel pressured, work as usual, routine duties as usual. There is nothing to be afraid of,” he told reporters.
From the outset, Dzulkhairi stressed that Malacca police would not interfere with the investigations conducted by Bukit Aman, reflecting their commitment to transparency.
He said his team has also accepted the decision of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) regarding the Durian Tunggal shooting, which is now being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code as murder.
According to him, his officers will continue to provide full cooperation to the authorities and ensure that every investigation is conducted professionally, transparently, and in accordance with the law.
“As the leader, we must take responsibility. Whatever the decision may be, our spirit remains intact,” he was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.
Dzulkhairi emphasised that Malacca police will continue to safeguard public safety and maintain peace.
“The police, especially the Malacca police, will ensure that public safety and peace in Malacca are well protected. No matter what happens, our spirit is unshaken,” he said.
Reclassified as murder
Yesterday, the AGC announced that the fatal shooting in Durian Tunggal last month has been reclassified as a murder case, following an examination of the police report.
On Nov 24, police shot and killed three men, aged 24 to 29, after one allegedly attacked an officer with a machete in an oil palm plantation.
Dzulkhairi defended his team’s actions, stating that the incident caused a corporal, in his early 30s, to suffer severe injuries to his left arm.
However, lawyers representing the men’s families challenged the police account after an audio recording emerged of a woman speaking to one of the suspects, suggesting it was an alleged extrajudicial killing.
The police chief also faced criticism over a press conference in which he claimed the woman had an extensive criminal record.
He said she had 10 prior criminal records, including armed robbery and attempted murder, and noted that her father also had a criminal past and is wanted in connection with a robbery case.
Dzulkhairi further claimed that the woman, who described herself as the wife of one of the victims, was not legally married to him, and that the victim instead had another wife in Johor.
Criminal records
Responding to Dzulkhairi, the lawyers for the victims’ families, Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh, reiterated that the senior police officer has his own legal understanding of criminal records.
"For the avoidance of doubt, and for the information of Dzulkhairi, who appears confused on this fundamental point of law: A criminal record arises only upon conviction by a court of law.
"Being investigated, questioned, or even arrested does not constitute a criminal record.
“To suggest otherwise is either a reckless misstatement or a deliberate attempt to smear a grieving widow to distract from the central and unavoidable issue - the killing of three men by the police," they said in a statement.
They said if the Malacca police chief wants to continue making such claims, he must substantiate them with court documents, failing which he should retract his remarks and apologise. - Mkini
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