Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waythamoorthy has lambasted the seemingly tame action taken against police personnel being investigated in relations to N Dharmendran’s death-in-detention case, saying such steps can only serve to undermine public faith in the force.
Stating murder is a non-bailable offence, Waythamoorthy (left) said instead of assigning the officers todesk duties, the latter four should have been suspended and held in remand until investigations are completed.
He said this is a statement issued today in his capacity as Malaysian Hindraf Association (MHA) chairperson, despite already being sworn in as deputy minister, one who is largely expected to oversee Indian affairs.
“The law is equal for police personnel as well as for the general public therefore any lesser action would only further frustrate the general public in the double standards practiced against these police officers with such blatant immunity provided to them.
“Such ineffectual action such as this by the superiors’ in the police force will only further demean the confidence of the public on the police force and their integrity in carrying out their responsibility in the interest of public,” the statement reads.
Waythamoorthy also questioned how police force expect to restore public confidence in their “professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness” in reducing crime, if unable to take stern actions against their own suspected police officers.
He added that such action reflects the lack of respect the police force hold for the “fundamental right and the value of human life” as enshrined in the federal constitution.
Cessation of Indian custodial deaths were among the demandsdropped by MHA when signing its historic pact with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak-led BN in April, a move which earned the movement much brickbats.
Stating murder is a non-bailable offence, Waythamoorthy (left) said instead of assigning the officers todesk duties, the latter four should have been suspended and held in remand until investigations are completed.He said this is a statement issued today in his capacity as Malaysian Hindraf Association (MHA) chairperson, despite already being sworn in as deputy minister, one who is largely expected to oversee Indian affairs.
“The law is equal for police personnel as well as for the general public therefore any lesser action would only further frustrate the general public in the double standards practiced against these police officers with such blatant immunity provided to them.
“Such ineffectual action such as this by the superiors’ in the police force will only further demean the confidence of the public on the police force and their integrity in carrying out their responsibility in the interest of public,” the statement reads.
Waythamoorthy also questioned how police force expect to restore public confidence in their “professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness” in reducing crime, if unable to take stern actions against their own suspected police officers.
He added that such action reflects the lack of respect the police force hold for the “fundamental right and the value of human life” as enshrined in the federal constitution.
Cessation of Indian custodial deaths were among the demandsdropped by MHA when signing its historic pact with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak-led BN in April, a move which earned the movement much brickbats.
IPCMC the only way
Meanwhile, in another statement, the Stop State Violence Movement, a coalition of 30 NGOs, is urging the authorities to seek the root causes of custodial deaths instead of the “cosmetic move” taken, referring to the formation of a special committee on custodial deaths to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar (below).
“We as members of civil society are simply fed up with such cosmetic reforms implemented by the government, which has not realised any positive outcome of eliminating custodial deaths.
“It still continues to remain a state-sponsored form of violence where the perpetrators are able to act with impunity,” the movement said.
It stressed that the only way to make perpetrators accountable and ensure effective check and balance is through an “independent mechanism” such as the rejected proposal for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
The movement said it is "very clear", based on experience learnt from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Bill (EAIC), which replaced the controversial Special Complaints Commission (SCC) Bill, that the current proposal to establish a national team "will be another failure of another cosmetic reform".
“The only way to end torture and deaths in custody is to make all enforcement officers be conscious that non compromising actions will be taken and perpetrators made accountable.”
Meanwhile, in another statement, the Stop State Violence Movement, a coalition of 30 NGOs, is urging the authorities to seek the root causes of custodial deaths instead of the “cosmetic move” taken, referring to the formation of a special committee on custodial deaths to be headed by the Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar (below).
“We as members of civil society are simply fed up with such cosmetic reforms implemented by the government, which has not realised any positive outcome of eliminating custodial deaths.“It still continues to remain a state-sponsored form of violence where the perpetrators are able to act with impunity,” the movement said.
It stressed that the only way to make perpetrators accountable and ensure effective check and balance is through an “independent mechanism” such as the rejected proposal for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
The movement said it is "very clear", based on experience learnt from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Bill (EAIC), which replaced the controversial Special Complaints Commission (SCC) Bill, that the current proposal to establish a national team "will be another failure of another cosmetic reform".
“The only way to end torture and deaths in custody is to make all enforcement officers be conscious that non compromising actions will be taken and perpetrators made accountable.”
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