IGP told to quit after EAIC found cops murdered detainee

PARLIAMENT Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar must resign, since the Enforcement Agencies Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found that a man was beaten to death by police while he was held in custody last year, a lawmaker says.

The EAIC urged that the police personnel be charged with murder after it found from its investigation that they beat Syed Mohd Azlan Mohamed Nur, 25, to death in the police lock-up in Sungai Rengit, Johor, on Nov 3, 2014.

"This is a shameful report that reflects on the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). This kind of report is enough for the inspector-general to resign," Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) told Dewan Rakyat while debating the 2016 Budget last night.

The Johor police chief then classified the death as “sudden death”, a term which could not be challenged by those concerned with Syed Mohd Azlan’s dealth, Gobind said.

However, a shocking inquiry report found 61 types of injuries on his face, body and both legs, he said.

"Part of the injuries were consistent with attempts to protect himself from physical violence on him by police officers.

"We have had so many cases. We had Teoh Beng Hock, we had Kugan, and now Syed Azlan," Gobind said.

'Police tampered with evidence'

The EAIC also found that police tried to tamper with evidence by cleaning the scene before a medical officer arrived, disposing a rubber mat and carpet stained with the deceased’s blood and hiding eye-witnesses to the arrest and detention.

Gobind demanded that the police personnel involved be charged with causing grievous hurt, murder and abetment of crime.

"We shall see if action will be taken," he said.

Thirteen police personnel led by an inspector arrested Syed Mohd Azlan at a residence in Pengerang at 3am on Nov 3, 2014, the EAIC report says.

He was arrested for alleged involvement in a fight and possessing a firearm. However, no firearm was found in the house.

Syed Mohd Azlan was later taken to the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters for the application of a remand order against him, but was found to be unresponsive by the personnel escorting him.

They then took him to a clinic, where the doctor certified him as dead, at 8.30am - five hours after his arrest. -Mkini