Press Statement by Charles Santiago in Klang on Thursday, 10^th September 2009:

Investigate MACC & punish officers over Sivanesan’s torture

He was punched all over the body while his genitals were "whipped" with an iron rod wrapped in newspapers. "At the time, I was wearing just an underwear while my hands were handcuffed to my back. I was also kicked and punched all over the body by between 10 and 15 men."

It is not the first time we are hearing explicit accounts of torture in detention. This time around the victim is T Sivanesan, who was brought to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Shah Alam to assist in an investigation.

Teoh Beng Hock, a political aide to the Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the roof of a building that houses the anti-graft body. He was also a witness to an investigation.

Both Teoh and Sivanesan were interrogated by MACC enforcement officer Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus. Sivanesan's testimony not only questions the legality of interrogation methods used by the MACC but also signals the possibility of physical and mental torture endured by Teoh.

The government has been drumming it into our head to trust the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and other enforcement bodies. But I, just like fellow Malaysians, feel vulnerable.

While Teoh's case is an illustration of the servility in which the anti-graft officers have taken orders to topple the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor state government, Sivanesan's chilling account suggests that torture is an intrinsic part of investigation in Malaysian enforcement institutions.

It is also appalling to note that Suhakam, the country human rights commission, has kept mum on the report lodged by Sivanesan. Explanations by Suhakam's chairperson, Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, that the commission does not have the power to bite and cannot function beyond the the law that governs it is nonsensical.

Suhakam has not only ignored Sivanesan's case but also largely failed to further the cause of human rights in the country.

Malaysia is becoming a theatre for mankind's darkest hour with extrajudicial killings, increasing number of deaths in custody, rising crime rate, rampant corruption and escalating racial tension.

Therefore, I strongly call upon the UMNO-led government and prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to set up a special investigation team to independently investigate the complaints lodged by Sivanesan and charge those responsible for assaulting him while in custody. Pending investigation, I urge that the officers who were involved in interrogating Sivanesan, be suspended with immediate effect.

* Charles Santiago, Selangor DAP Vice Chairman & MP for Klang