We don’t trust cops to probe death of man at Gombak police HQ, says DAP man

 

Charles Santiago (left) paying his last respects at Sivabalan Subramaniam’s home.

PETALING JAYA: Police cannot be trusted to investigate themselves in the latest death of a 42-year-old security guard, says DAP’s Charles Santiago.

According to the Klang MP, there is something amiss as a report against Sivabalan Subramaniam was made in 2014, but the police only acted on it seven years later.

It was previously reported that Sivabalan was called in by the police over an extortion case that took place in 2016.

“This discrepancy, plus police saying that the deceased died of a heart attack less than an hour after he was arrested, warrants an investigation and inquest,” he said in a statement.

Santiago’s comments came after he visited Sivabalan’s family with Selayang MP William Leong Jee Keen earlier today to extend his condolences.

“It was heartbreaking, especially to see his mother who is grieving the loss of her son.”

However, Santiago stressed that the inquest must be led by experts in the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC).

He said “we haven’t heard a whimper despite so much public pressure” regarding the earlier death of cow’s milk trader A Ganapathy, while being in the custody of the Gombak police.

“The inquest hearing must be made public because this is a case of public interest and the findings must be made public as well.”

He added that the government had a responsibility to protect its citizens, saying if there was a case against anyone, it must be taken to court.

Two days ago, Sivabalan had died at the Gombak district police headquarters less than an hour after he was taken in for documentation following an arrest warrant issued against him by a court.

Selangor police chief Arjunaidi Mohamed said an autopsy conducted on Sivabalan found that he had died of a heart attack, adding that he did not suffer any physical injuries.

He said the security guard was taken from a factory at 11.20am without handcuffs as he had given full cooperation to the police.

However, he said Sivabalan began experiencing shortness of breath after arriving at the police station at 11.40am.

“The case has been classified as a sudden death. Investigation papers will be completed later and handed over to the deputy public prosecutor with the proposal for an inquest to be held over his death,” said Arjunaidi. - FMT