Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should show that he is fit to be Home Minister and heed the angry cries of the wife of N Dharmendran

Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar should heed the tragic, angry and plaintive cries of the wife of death in custody victim N Dharmendran that policemen linked to his death should be arrested and in the lock-up for murder instead of been given desk jobs. Why is Tan Sri Khalid suddenly so quiet and passive about this criminal act that led to another custodial death when he had threatened all sorts of action against PR leaders and law-abiding Malaysians who attended peaceful rallies seeking clean, free and fair polls reforms?

DAP is shocked by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s inhumane and irresponsible attitude towards this tragic custodial death that the policemen involved should not be suspended from duty lest the police force be demoralised. Such callous remarks shows that Ahmad Zahid is not fit to be Home Minister as he is not protecting public safety regardless who commits crimes whether it is from lawless criminals or policemen or duty.

Both the Home Minister and Inspector-General of Police had remained silent, indifferent and even uncaring instead of expressing outrage, regret and sorrow for the family of N Dharmendran for the death sustained from 52 injuries relating to canings and being stapled repeatedly whilst handcuffed. Failure to do so has led to negative public perception at the BN Federal government that it has devalued the death of N Dharmendran as less worthy of one Malaysian citizen.

DAP demands that the policemen involved in the latest custodial deaths be arrested and put in the lock-up on charges for murder. Malaysians had hoped that after the untimely death of those under the responsibility of security authorities from Teoh Beng Hock, K. Kugan and Customs officer Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed, that there will be no more custodial deaths.

Unfortunately the BN Federal government does not appear to have the political will to come down hard to punish and take preventive measures. Establishing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission(IPCMC) would go a long way to assure the Malaysian public of the BN Federal government’s commitment to prevent custodial death.