Only the establishment of IPCMC can prevent needless custodial deaths

Only the establishment of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) can prevent needless custodial deaths following the 3rd death in the police lock-up in 11 days. Karuna Nithi’s death 2 days ago in Tampin police lock-up brings to three the number of recent mortalities among suspects while under police custody. Before that, was the death of R James Ramesh in a Penang police lockup on May 26 and the brutal killing of N Dhamendran with 52 injuries, while in a KL police headquarters lockup on May 21.

The number of custodial deaths since 2000 is 219, a shocking figure that is sure to rise without any safeguards and preventive mechanism such as the IPCMC. There is no reason why the BN Federal government refuses such oversight of the police when it is recommended in 2005 by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Police.

Whilst some of the custodial deaths may be due to natural causes, the public will continue to have grave suspicions in police interrogation methods unless the police were not only clean, but seen to be clean. Only a transparent and accountable mechanism which is available by establishing the IPCMC, can restore public confidence and reassure the public that detainees in police custody will be safe. Otherwise, the public will have recurring nightmares that should any of their loved ones be placed in police custody, they may walk not necessarily walk out alive.

The public have lost hope in new Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who does not appear interested in fighting crime but is more focused on using harsh and oppressive methods to silence any dissent. even from law-abiding citizens pressing for free, clean and fair elections. Will Datuk Seri Najib, MIC or MCA leaders walk the talk by supporting the establishment of the IPCMC whether in or outside Parliament?