Death in custody: Malaysian Bar reiterates call for IPCMC

The Malaysian Bar has reiterated its call for the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) following the death of detainee S. Balamurugan.

Its president Steven Thiru said the IPCMC is the only way to identify rogue elements in the police force identified, isolated and held accountable for their misconducts.

"The Malaysian Bar has incessantly urged for the IPCMC to be set up, since it was first proposed by the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police in its report in 2005. We repeat our call today," he said in a statement today.

Steven questioned why policemen who are being investigated for Balamurugan’s death, were not suspended.

More than 10 policemen from the North Klang district police headquarters are under investigation over Balamurugan’s death.

"Given the results of the second autopsy report, it is inexplicable and outrageous that none of them has been suspended or arrested. The police officers who are suspected to have been involved in the assault on Balamurugan that led to his death must not receive special treatment or protection.

"Immediate action must be taken so that the truth may be uncovered and the perpetrators brought to justice," he said.

He also said it was shocking that Balamurugan was not released nor given medical attention even after the Magistrate denied remand order and instructed the police to take him to the hospital.

He said this defiance smacks of brazen disrespect for the court and a blatant disregard for the welfare of a person in police custody.

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"The investigating officer appears to have knowingly disobeyed an order of the court. It is shocking that there has been no explanation as to why Balamurugan was neither released nor taken for medical attention.

"Such misconduct warrants stern action by the court, to deter police officers from flagrantly ignoring the directions of the court. The police cannot be permitted to behave as if they are a law unto themselves," he added.

Balamurugan, 44, died at the North Klang police headquarters on Feb 7.

His family, unhappy with the first autopsy, had sought a second autopsy which revealed that he died from "coronary artery disease with multiple blunt force injuries".

Lawyers acting on behalf of Balamurugan’s family said the alleged beatings in police custody had triggered his heart failure.