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Conflict of interest persists in cops' internal custodial death probe

Conflict of interest persists in cops' internal custodial death probe
Conflict of interest persists in cops' internal custodial death probe

Klang MP Charles Santiago has reiterated conflict of interest concerns over the cops investigating themselves over custodial death cases in police lock-ups.

This is after cops announced an internal probe into the third custodial death this month, this time at a lockup in Marang, Terengganu.

"Police investigating itself raises conflict of interests issues and no charges (being filed).

"Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin should refer custodial death case investigations to the parliamentary select committee on human rights, Suhakam, and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission," Charles (above) said.

Yesterday, the Police Integrity and Standards Compliance Department said it received a report on the death of a 38-year-old man who was detained for theft at the Marang lockup.

On Jan 16, a 37-year-old man died at the Pangkalan Chepa police station lockup in Kelantan.

On Jan 13, a 63-year-old man also died at the Taiping district police headquarters lock-up in Perak.

In a bid to address persistent cases of custodial deaths, the police last month formed the Criminal Investigation Unit on Deaths in Custody (USJKT).

Since its formation, the police have taken it upon themselves to announce custodial death cases.

Previously, such cases only come to light after family complaints or when the cases are highlighted by elected representatives and NGOs.

However, Charles said more needs to be done to stop persistent custodial death cases.

"The home minister needs to step up to stop more deaths," he said.