Clarify whether police took Sivaguru away, IGP urged

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo raps top cop Khalid Abu Bakar for not responding to the family of a man taken away in two cars by people claiming to be narcotics officers.

PETALING JAYA: Respond to the family of Sivaguru Arumugam who was taken away forcibly from his house in Ayer Lanas, Jeli, Kelantan, on Friday.

This appeal came from Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo who urged Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar to pacify and update family members on police investigations into the matter.

Gobind, who is representing Sivaguru’s family, said Khalid had not responded to the family’s questions so far.

“It has been six days since Sivaguru went missing. Until now police have yet to revert to the family with news as to the status of the investigations,” Gobind told reporters at his office today.

He said he went to the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters yesterday with the family to hand over a letter written to the IGP by Sivaguru’s wife, Suriakala a/p Balakrishnan.

“Despite the fact that an officer received the letter and assured us he would revert to us as soon as possible, we have not received any news from the police until now.

“Time is of the essence in cases like this. Criminal law requires that things be done quickly.”

Gobind said this was a matter of public concern as there were similar past abduction cases where people were taken away by persons armed with weapons.

He said a number of people, including family and friends of Sivaguru as well as others who had similarly gone missing over the last few years, were present at Bukit Aman yesterday as well.

Sivaguru was approached by four or five persons at his house in Jeli on Friday.

They came in two black Toyota Hilux vehicles and were carrying guns.

Sivaguru’s brother, Balakuru, had rushed to the scene after being told, but had made a U-turn after seeing two black Hiluxes driving past him.

He managed to stop one of the cars and question the driver. The driver allegedly only identified himself as “anggota narkotik Bukit Aman” (Bukit Aman narcotics member) before speeding off.

“I call on the IGP to respond to the questions raised in this case. Why has a statement not been recorded from Sivaguru’s brother until today? To my mind, he is a material witness in this case.

“He says he can identify the driver of the Hilux vehicle, and that the person told him he was an officer from the Narcotics Department of Bukit Aman.

“If that is the case, have the police ascertained ownership of the two Hilux vehicles, or the identity of the person driving it?

“Why the silence? Is it that difficult for someone in the police force to connect with the family?

“Let’s see what the IGP will do now that I have asked this in public. He must publicly state whether those two cars are registered in his name.”

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reported Khalid as denying that police abducted Sivaguru in a car registered in Khalid’s name.

Khalid said many police cars were registered in his name or someone could have used false number plates.

“Is it our job to abduct people? Don’t make baseless accusations.”

He also told the portal that police would investigate the abduction claim and dissemination of false news.