Got calls from two sources a little before 5pm today to say that the family of A Kugan have just been given permission by the relevant authorities for a second post-mortem to be performed.
Nanda headed out to the University Hospital where it was understood the second autopsy was to be carried out.
Got one call from Nanda around 6pm. Informed that YB Gobind Singh, YB Sivarasa, YB Manikavasagam and lawyer Surendran together with family members of Kugan were at the hospital. Selangor CPO was now being ambivalent about whether the second post-mortem had been consented to. Seems that the earlier confirmation had been communicated orally by some senior police officer from the balai in Subang Jaya.
Just before 7pm, Nanda called again to say that its settled. Although the CPO was being difficult about the choice of pathologist, the family’s wishes have prevailed.
Their choice of pathologist will undertake the second autopsy tomorrow morning, 9am. Am told that members of the family and lawyers will be permitted to view the autopsy being done from the viewing gallery.
Nanda informed me that it is expected the autopsy will take anything between 5-8 hours after which the pathologist will have to write up his report.
Depending on the report, it may well be that Kugan may finally be laid to rest on Chinese New Year day.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — Citing the lack of any arrests four days after suspected car thief A Kugan died in police custody, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) today questioned the integrity of the police force and further accused the Attorney-General's office of being in cahoots with the police.
In a press statement, Hindraf chairman P. Waytha Moorthy accused the two parties of wanting "to subdue public outcry" instead of actually solving the murder.
"Why have those who committed this murder not been arrested?" he asked.
"All we hear are contradicting statements from the police force and the A-G's office to downplay the whole incident. Kugan's brutal murder was committed while he was in police detention. Why do the police force and A-G need three days before even classifying it as a murder?" he added.
This has raised questions regarding "the integrity, accountability and transparency of the police force and whether it is in cahoots with the A-G's office in issuing statements just to create an atmosphere to subdue public outcry," said Waytha Moorthy, adding that this amounted to "foul play by the Umno-led administration."
Kugan, 22, was detained on Jan 15 on suspicion of being involved in stealing luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang.
He died five days later while under detention by Subang Jaya police and his family is claiming he was tortured in a case which has sparked a furious reaction from an Indian community which has grown suspicious of alleged police victimisation.
Police claim he vomited and suddenly collapsed while being questioned and was later pronounced dead.
Police later denied Kugan's family a second post-mortem, saying they would need a court order but Attorney-General Tan Sri Gani Patail later said the family had a right to a second autopsy.
In his statement, Waytha Moorthy suggested that there were double standards being practised which discriminated against a "defenseless Malaysian Indian".
"Is this going to be another cover-up and hoodwinking? Why is there preferential justice for the perpetrators?” he asked, suggesting that this was so because they were police officers.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — The MIC wants an independent committee of eminent persons to investigate detainee A. Kugan's death under police custody, whereas the MCA wants a second autopsy to uncover the actual cause of death.
Both Barisan Nasional parties want the police to take swift action for greater transparency and accountability on the part of the government.
MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel said a transparent move by the government would regain public confidence in the police.
He said the party wanted the government to set up an independent committee of eminent persons to investigate the death of 22-year-old Kugan while in police custody.
"The committee should be empowered to look into the entire ambit of lock-up procedures and close-circuit camera recordings available (at lock-ups)," he said today.
Palanivel was commenting on Kugan's death while being held at the Subang Taipan police station lock-up on Thursday.
Earlier, the death was classified under section 330 of the Penal Code which indicates voluntarily causing hurt to extort a confession.
Yesterday, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said the case was re-classified as murder as there were bruises on the body.
In a related development, MCA central committee member Wong Nai Chee said in a statement that a second autopsy should be conducted in a professional manner to uncover the actual cause of the death.
He said MCA was aghast with the extent of the injuries on Kugan who allegedly collapsed and died while under police custody.
"We call upon (Home Minister) Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and (Inspector-General of Police) Tan Sri Musa Hassan to take swift action (against the culprits).
"As the public finds it difficult to accept the reasons (for Kugan's death) given by the Selangor police chief (Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar) that Kugan died of breathing difficulties, investigations must be conducted in a transparent manner," said Wong who also heads MCA Youth, Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Research Bureau.
He said the party welcomed Abdul Gani's decision to re-classify the case as murder.
Meanwhile in Tebedu, Sarawak, Musa appealed to the public not to speculate on Kugan's death until a report on the investigations was completed.
He gave an assurance that the police would conduct an in-depth investigation without any cover-up. — Bernama
(Malaysia kini) Sebelas anggota polis berpangkat konstabel dan lans koperal dari balai polis Subang Taipan - di mana seoang pemuda A Kugan meninggal dunia dalam tahanan polis - telah dipindahkan serta merta semalam.
Menurut akhbar New Straits Times, Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar berkata, kesemua mereka kini ditempatkan melakukan kerja-kerja pejabat di ibupejabat polis kontinjen di Petaling Jaya.
"Mereka dipindahkan untuk mempercepatkan siasatan. Kita menjangka ia dapat disiapkan dalam masa tiga hari.
"Pihak poli masih merakam dan mengumpul kenyataan. Sebaik sahaja siasatan siap, kami akan memutuskan tindakan selanjutnya," katanya.
Semalam, Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail mengklasifikasikan kematian pemuda berusia 22 tahun itu sebagai kes bunuh.
Pasukan penyiasat
Sementara itu, Bernama melaporkan, pasukan siasatan khas Bukit Aman telah mula merekod keterangan anggota polis yang bertugas ketika A. Kugan mati semasa dalam tahanan polis.
Pasukan tersebut yang diketuai Timbalan Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Bukit Aman Datuk Shatar Abdul Jalil, mula merekod keterangan daripada 11 anggota polis yang terbabit mulai hari Rabu.
"Mereka (polis) ini berusia 25 hingga 30 tahun dan dari daerah Subang Jaya serta berpangkat konstabel hingga lans koperal. Pasukan khas mengambil keterangan mereka di pelbagai lokasi termasuk di Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen Selangor.
Semalam, Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Musa Hassan memberi jaminan tiada 'cover-up' dalam siasatan kes kematian Kugan itu.
Kugan, 22, ditahan reman sejak minggu lepas kerana didakwa terlibat dalam kes samun kereta mewah, sebelum meninggal dunia ketika dalam tahanan di lokap Balai Polis USJ 8, Subang Jaya pada 11 pagi Selasa lalu.
Keluarganya yang tidak berpuas hati dengan kematian Kugan mendakwa dia didera polis kerana ada banyak kesan kecederaan pada tubuhnya walaupun laporan bedah siasat menunjukkan kematiannya akibat paru-paru berair
(Malaysiakini) Barisan Bertindak Hak Hindu (Hindraf) yang diharamkan, menuduh pihak polis dan peguam negara (AG) sengaja melengah-lengahkan siasatan terhadap kematian A Kugan, ketika dalam tahanan polis.
"Mengapa pihak polis dan pejabat AG memerlukan tiga hari sebelum mengklasifikasikan (kes itu) sebagai kes bunuh atau menahan anggota polis yang bertanggungjawab?
"Mengapa mereka yang melakukan perbuatan ini masih belum ditahan hingga ke hari ini?" tanya pengerusi Hindraf, P Waytha Moorthy, yang sebelum ini merupakan seorang peguam di Seremban.
Waytha Moorthy juga mendakwa pihak polis dan pejabat AG cuba menenangkan isu tersebut ekoran kecaman hebat terhadap kejadian tersebut.
"Hindraf mempersoalkan integriti, akauntabiliti dan ketelusan pasukan polis dan pejabat AG yang mengeluarkan kenyataaan hanya untuk menenangkan keadaan,," katanya.
(Malaysiakini) MIC mahu jawatankuasa bebas yang dianggotai tokoh terkemuka menyiasat kematian A Kugan semasa dalam tahanan polis, manakala MCA mahu bedah siasat kali kedua dilakukan bagi mengenal pasti punca sebenar kematian pemuda itu.
Kedua-dua parti komponen Barisan Nasional (BN) itu mahu polis mengambil tindakan segera bagi menunjukkan ketelusan dan akauntabiliti di pihak kerajaan.
Timbalan Presiden MIC Datuk G. Palanivel berkata langkah telus di pihak kerajaan akan dapat memulihkan keyakinan rakyat terhadap polis, lapor Bernama.
Beliau berkata parti itu mahu kerajaan menubuhkan jawatankuasa bebas yang dianggotai tokokh terkemuka untuk menyiasat kematian pemuda berusia 22 tahun itu semasa dalam tahanan polis.
"Jawatankuasa itu perlu diberikan kuasa untuk mengkaji seluruh prosedur lokap dan rakaman kamera litar tertutup yang ada (dalam lokap)," katanya di ibunegara hari ini.
Manakala ahli Jawatankuasa Pusat MCA, Wong Nai Chee dalam kenyataan berkata bedah siasat kali kedua patut dilakukan secara profesional untuk mengenal pasti punca sebenar kematian itu.
Beliau berkata MCA amat terkejut dengan tahap kecederaan yang dialami Kugan yang didakwa terjatuh dan meninggal dunia semasa dalam tahanan polis.
"Kami menggesa (Menteri Dalam Negeri) Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar dan (Ketua Polis Negara) Tan Sri Musa Hassan untuk mengambil tindakan segera (terhadap dalang yang bertanggungjawab).
"Berikutan orang ramai sukar untuk menerima alasan (bagi kematian Kugan) diberikan Ketua Polis Selangor (Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar) bahawa Kugan mati akibat kesukaran bernafas, penyiasatan perlu dilakukan dengan telus," kata Wong yang juga Ketua Biro Hal Ehwal Undang-undang dan Penyelidikan Parlimen Pemuda MCA.
Katanya parti itu menyambut baik keputusan Abdul Gani untuk menukar klasifikasi kes itu sebagai kes bunuh.
Kugan's Mother Indra lodge a police report on the death in custody of her son Kugan. Police should be responsible for the death of Kugan and the culprit should be charge.
The family of the 22-year-old youth who died in police custody has decided to postpone his burial in order to seek a second post-mortem. The decision comes in the wake of Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar saying today that the post-mortem done at the Serdang Hospital found that Kugan Ananthan had died due to 'liquid in his lungs'.
This evening, Kugan's body was brought to the Hindu cemetery in Batu 14, Jalan Puchong.
However, after consulting lawyers, the family decided not to proceed with the burial and conduct an independent post-mortem.
The body has been taken to the University Malaya Medical Centre to determine if any foul play was involved in the case.
Kugan, who hails from Puchong, was arrested on Jan 15 in connection with several luxury car theft cases. He collapsed and died on Tuesday at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya. Decision made at cemetery
The dramatic turn of events took place just as Kugan's parents - G Anathan and S Indra (photo left) - arrived along with the hearse at the cemetery where he was to be buried.
Several lawyers who had gathered at the cemetery then informed Kugan's parents of Khalid's statement and said it was up to them to decide if a second post-mortem was needed.
Anathan and Indra immediately gave consent for a second post- mortem and the funeral was called off. Their decision won applause from some 300 people who had gathered at the cemetery.
"The parents were unaware the post-mortem report stated that the cause of death was due to 'water in the lungs' and not assault. If not, they would have asked for a second post-mortem report earlier," said lawyer N Surendran.
"They are rather suspicious of foul play in the death of their son and are not confident with police investigations especially after Khalid's statement (on the cause of death)," he added.
Earlier, funeral rites were performed for the deceased at his family home in Kinrara Puchong. Kugan's family members were sobbing inconsolably throughout the funeral which was attended by about 200 people.
A Memorandum of Protest to Inspector General Of Police was hand over regarding the death of Kugan Ananthan in police custody. In the memo stated that there is photograph of the body of police brutality victim Kugan Ananthan has shock Malaysia. There is clear evidence from the horrific marks on the body that the victim was severely and mercilessly beaten while in police custody. Instead of taking immediate action on those police officers involved, the police have commenced a ridiculous investigation on whether family members and relatives had tampered with the body. This dishonest and transparent attempt by police to divert attention from real issue. The real issue is how Kugan receive those serious injuries his body while in police custody.
Now the police have also refused a request by the family for a second post motem examination. If the police have nothing to hide, why refuse a second post mortem?
We demand that those police officers involved be sacked and charged for murder. That the Selangor CPO Datuk Khalid Bakar be sacked from his position for trying to deceive the public that the victim died of breathing difficulties. The the IGP immediately agree to the request of the family of the victim for a second post mortem examination and that there be immediate and comprehensive REFORM of the Malaysian Police force in order to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The Memo was endorsed by:-
POLICE WATCH MALAYSIA & HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE. YB.S.MANIKAVASAGM MP KAPAR MAKKAL SAKTHI PRABAKAR POLICE REFORM MOVEMENT
This is a response to Kenneth Eswaran’s interview on the 23rd of January 2009, to Malaysiakini on MkiniTV.
We are only asking for what we should be rightfully getting. In your interview, you asked one of the reporters - how large a community the Indians are in Malaysia - 8 percent was the answer. Then what did you say in response - we are only a small community - if the others get a dollar, we cannot also ask for a dollar. Kenneth, you really take the Indians to be so stupid as not to be able to see the nonsense in your argument. Do the Indians get 8% of the national income, do they own 8% of the wealth of the country, do they have 8% employment in all fields, do they have 8% public university and skills training institutes enrolments in all courses offered, do they get 8% of all the contracts awarded by the government – where do they get what they should get. We don’t want a dollar for dollar, we want 8% of every dollar. Is that what you call a dollar for a dollar?
When a businessman comes out in the open and makes public statements on an issue of public interest in a rather controversial manner, there is a lot at stake for him. Given this, why is Kenneth Eswaran (who now goes by KK Eswaran) taking that risk, by projecting himself as a spokesman of sorts for the Indian community (though he vows that, that is not what he is trying to do)? If you look a little beyond his words, it is evident that he is taking a position that is totally against the interest of the vast majority of Indians in the country. A businessman is a businessman; he only cares for his own interests, but occasionally puts on a façade of speaking up for a community. He talks about Tamil schools, he talks about youth training, he talks about petty traders interests. But what he is effectively saying is no different than what has been said for the last 50 years – we must do it in the proper way, we must do it in an appropriate way, we must do it this way we must do it that way and so on – but not anything different that will yield a tangible difference.
In the process of the interview, he lambasts Waythamoorthy - quote from Malaysiakini “We regret Waythamoorthy's inconsiderate action in circulating a pamphlet tarnishing the image of his own country at a conference with seditious remarks and unjustified statistics, plus a call to the Indian government to impose trade sanctions against Malaysia such as to stop importing palm oil from Malaysia,” said Eswaran. This probably is his main purpose of the Malaysiakini interview.
A little bit of research reveals exactly why he takes this “patriotic” approach. He heads a company called Multi Vest Resources Bhd (MVest) in which he owns just over 28% of the shares. MVest has 4000 hectares of oil palm plantation in Malaysia and 75,000 hectares more coming up in Kalimantan. He is also wrapped in this business with UMNOputras. If you look at the register of shareholders you won’t necessarily see the UMNOPutra shareholding; you will see significant nominee shareholding (this is a known device for concealing who the real shareholders are). His Board of Directors are made up of 3 Bumiputra Directors out of a total of 5 Directors listed on the website. So you can see, he seems to be in one of those crony-type of relationship. Waythamoorthy’s request to the Indian Diaspora and the Indian businesses and government to review their purchasing policy on palm oil is clearly detrimental to his personal interests, besides the interest of his UMNOPutras overlord – there you have it. The rest of it is a masquerade, to push his main point and to discredit Waythmoorthy who is hitting him and his overlords where it hurts most – their money. Not so easy, Kenneth. Not so easy.
Kenneth, you should be talking to the UMNOPutras to change their policies towards the minorities in the country so that the leaders of the minority and marginalized community do not need to go outside to seek help, to bring about the political will to do something positive about the marginalization problem. You should be doing this if you truly really cared. You should not be lecturing us – we have had 50 years of that already.
You know what Kenneth, you sounded exactly like Samy Vellu in that interview and you know what is happening to Samy Vellu; his days are so clearly numbered.
In your interview Kenneth Eswaran, you go on to say that all these people who are claiming to be leaders of the Indian community are doing it only for their own petty interest. I will speak for myself - I have no interest in doing what I am doing other than to get the truth out. I think most of the people out there who are speaking out at great risks are doing it for much the same reason. Our interest is to show up the treacherous lies of the last 50 years and lay bare to the public the types of people that have cheated so many generations of Indians of a decent life and in that process to seek a better life for all.
We are only asking for what we should be rightfully getting. In your interview , you asked one of the reporters, how large a community the Indians are in Malaysia - 8 percent was the answer. Then what did you say in response -, we are only a small community - if the others get a dollar, we cannot also ask for a dollar. Kenneth, you really take the Indians to be so stupid as not to be able to see the nonsense in your argument . Do the Indians get 8% of the national income, do they own 8% of the wealth of the country, do they have 8% employment in all fields, do they have 8% public university and skills training institutes enrolments in all courses offered, do they get 8% of all the contracts awarded by the government – where do they get what they should get. We don’t want a dollar for dollar, we want 8% of every dollar . Is that what you call a dollar for a dollar.
Kenneth Eswaran, the President of MAICCI, you are beginning to play the role of a Mandore now, just like Samy Vellu has been doing all these years. We do not need another Mandore. If you want to take care of your interests then get your overlords to effectively do something about the marginalized Indian people.
You say there is a meeting coming up soon to discuss matters of interests to the Indian community. If you really cared, invite Waythamoorthy and Uthayakumar (you have such a close relationship with the UMNOputras) for the meeting and start a meaningful dialog – not one for appearance sake only. If you really cared, we challenge you to do that.
Introduce IPCMC in the February Seating of Parliament
I strongly denounce the action of the police to charge 21 people for illegal assembly as they were exercising their freedom of expression which is protected under the Federal Constitution.
They were at the Petaling Jaya City Council field on November 9th to protest against the draconian Internal Security Act which flouts the very grains of democracy by allowing for indefinite detention without trial.
It is appalling to note that all of them also face a second charge of failing to adhere to a police order to disperse. Video recording of the candle light vigil clearly shows the protestors were preparing to disperse after singing the national anthem. In fact, they were arrested while singing Negaraku.
Furthermore, charging them two days before the Chinese New Year only goes to show the arrogance and insensitivity of the Malaysian police force. Thirteen of the total 21 people charged are ethnic Chinese and they include my DAP colleagues and elected representatives Ronnie Liew, Tony Pua and Lau Weng San.
Also arrested was Catholic Priest Rev Father Paulino Miranda.
If the police could wait more than two months to charge them, they could certainly wait a few more days for the new year celebrations to be over. Failing to do so only shows the police are trying to intimidate the public.
The police force has been plagued by controversies following blatant abuse of powers, arbitrary arrests and physical abuse of detainees under custody. The recent custodial death involves a 23-year-old man A. Kugan, whose body had deep wounds, bruises and cuts.
Although it is heartening to see Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail classify the case as murder, more has to be done to stop the abuse of police powers. I hope that an independent team of investigators would be formed to look into the grievous bodily injuries sustained by Kugan.
Despite the reports of police abuses not playing up positively among the Malaysian public, the Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar is still reluctant to come clean about the barbaric behaviour of his officers.
The current situation and alarming rise in cases relating to police abuse and custodial deaths calls for an urgent implementation of the IPCMC.
The public have lost all faith in the police force and nothing less than the formation of the IPCMC will help regain the confidence of the people.
The watered-down Special Complaints Commission will not solve the problem. In fact it might make a bad situation worse.
Furthermore, an independent commission is needed to put an end to police brutality, both in custody and in public. We have seen too much harassment for exercising our fundamental rights - human rights activists and members of non-governmental organisation, and opposition politicians have been beaten-up and arrested during peaceful protests, journalists have experienced intimidation while doing their jobs and suspects on remand to facilitate police investigation end up dead.
As a start to a long-process of police reforms, I urge the Attorney-General to drop all charges against the 21 people who took part in a peaceful candle light vigil. I also appeal to the government to make a concerted effort to implement the IPCMC.
Charles Santiago Member of Parliament, Klang 016-6267797
HINDRAF is questioning the integrity, accountability and transparency of the police force in cohorts with the AG's office in issuing statements just to create an atmosphere to subdue public outcry.
Most Malaysians are aware that murder is a non-bailable offence according to the Penal Code. The brutal murder took place on January 20, 2009 and it has been four days and all we hear are contradictory statements from the police force and the AG's office as usual from their mouthpiece, the main media spinmasters to downplay the whole incident. Kugan's brutal murder was committed while he was in detention in the police station; not elsewhere. Why do the police force and AG's office need three (3) days before even classifying it as a murder or arresting the accused police murderers? Why are those who committed this have not been arrested until today?
Why such double standards? Is it because he is a defenseless Malaysian Indian? Is this going to be another cover-up and hoodwinking process for the public to absorb? Why is there preferential justice for the perpetrators - just because they are police officers? Enough is enough. The late Kugan is also a Malaysian and he deserves equal treatment in the cause of justice in parity with any other Malaysian for the atrocity perpetrated by the police murderers or anyone else under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution.
The police force and the AG's office are government servants working for the interests of the public in administering the governance of the nation and not in a position where they have discretion in preference for the police murderers and use it as and how they wish to administer that which is suitable to their position to suppress the due process of law against public interests.
The foul play by the UMNO-led administration through their executives is totally unacceptable as this is a brutal murder that took place while the late Kugan was in custody. The implementation of IPMC is paramount to ensure accountability and transparency prevails for the society as human right abuses and violations prevails within our systems with the current lopsided administration in the interests of the public.
To classify someone a Firaun is the ultimate insult in Islam. You can call him a dog or a pig. He can still live with that. But to call a Muslim a Firaun is something really mean.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
(Bernama) -- The Civil Movement Against Corruption (Gerak) has sought the help of the Sultan of Selangor to advise Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to go on leave until the investigation into the cattle issue is over.
Selangor Gerak chairman Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus said the Menteri Besar should go on leave to ensure that the investigation would not be jeopardised.
"We have evidence on the irregularities in the purchase of the cows for Aidiladha sacrifice," he told reporters after handing a memorandum to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharifuddin Idris Shah, at Bukit Kayangan Palace, here, today.
The memorandum was received by the Sultan's aide-de-camp, naval commander Ahmad Ramli Kardi.
Gerak has lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, claiming that Khalid had financed the purchase of 46 cows worth RM110,400 for Aidiladha slaughter with state money.
It claimed that the cows were distributed in Abdul Khalid's parliamentary seat, Bandar Tun Razak, which is in Kuala Lumpur, not Selangor.
Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid said: "There was no issue. It was merely an alm. If that is considered an irregularity, I do not know what else to do."
He was speaking to reporters after attending the presentation of a cheque for RM1 million from the Selangor Zakat (Tithe) Board to Yayasan Amal Selangor for the Gaza Palestinian Fund at the palace today. The cheque was presented by Sultan Sharafuddin.
Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid's political secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said there was no instruction from the Menteri Besar to the Selangor State Development Corporation (SEDC) or the Selangor Industrial Corporation Sdn Bhd to donate cows for sacrifice in Bandar Tun Razak.
"The donation was made by the SEDC and its subsidiaries and associate companies without the use of state money or on the order of the Menteri Besar or his officers," he said.
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(The Malay Mail) -- Despite the looming threat of being hauled up by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), campaigners for candidates eyeing Umno’s top posts in March are not too perturbed.
Campaigning, according to some lobbyists, continues to be aggressive despite the close attention of the MACC which had arrested and charged several party members for alleged money politics.
Several division chiefs and delegates who spoke to Malay Mail said campaigning would continue as normal.
“Really, there is nothing to fear. It is true that money is being handed out but these are for transportation or fuel money and not to buy the delegates’ votes,” said one division chief.
A delegate said the amount dished out was too small to buy votes as they did not even cover the expenses incurred in attending the election in March, and the various meetings prior to the event.
“RM300 or RM500 is too small an amount to buy votes. Let’s be practical about things here.”
“Surely, a vote is worth a lot more. Taking fuel money is not a guarantee that a delegate will vote for a candidate.”
“In any case, can accepting fuel money be defined as corruption in this case? These are tokens for attending meetings,” he said.
Those caught might want to challenge the authorities in court, and perhaps, find out the hard way that they have been holding on to a wrong notion, but whatever the outcome, quite a number of them felt that those who have been caught were “plain unlucky”.
“These were cases of them being set up by their enemies, who could very well be campaigners themselves,” said the division chief.
While some are unshaken, there were those who fear the crackdown and have stopped giving out “token money”.
“This does not mean that lobbying has to stop. It has to go on. How are we going to tell the delegates our visions and plans?” said one aspirant.
Some candidates, on the other hand, have called on the party headquarters to organise get-together events for them to meet the delegates. They said this would deter money politics or other activities deemed unethical.
“The party leadership had said the party headquarters would organise get-together events to introduce the candidates. However, we are coming to the end of January with no news of such gatherings,” he said.
The jostling for positions in the March party polls is one of the most intense as party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is stepping down to pave the way for deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak to take over.
Najib, who will take over the president’s post uncontested, will be looking for candidates from among those successfully voted in March to fill some Cabinet positions as well.
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Yes, that appears to be what fills up the newspapers these days -- corruption, abuse of power, arrogance of those in power, violation of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, police brutality and excess use of force, and what have you.
Some of you may already know the story of Moses -- Musa, if to the Muslims. Moses was ordered by God to go meet the Pharaoh of Egypt and appeal to him to abandon his ‘sesat’ ways and return to the religion of Abraham. (And that is why the Quran says that all those followers of Moses and Jesus who follow the way or adeen of Abraham are the true submitters. And that is also why Kofi Anan in his speech in the UN said: we are all children of Abraham).
Anyway, Moses, although reluctantly, did just that. (Moses knew that the Pharaoh was one mean son-of-a-bitch and the less you cross his path the better, if you know what I mean).
The Pharaoh asked Moses what’s so special about his God. Well, Moses replied, my God can give life and can take life.
The Pharaoh then sentenced Moses to death, for no reason whatsoever. He then pardoned Moses. “See,” said the Pharaoh, “I have just taken your life and I gave you back your life. So I too am God. I too can give life and take life.” (Okay, maybe he did not use those exact words but that was basically what the Pharaoh said).
The stories in the Holy Books are not for entertainment purposes. They are meant as a guide and to demonstrate what our characteristics mean. Sure, these may be stories of the past, but they are as relevant today as if they happened this morning.
People who think they have the power of life and death over others have the characteristics of the Pharaoh -- Firaun, if to the Muslims. And Firauns are arrogant sons-of-bitches who think that they are second to God (sometimes they think they are God). And the Holy Books want us to remember that there is still a Higher Power above us and that one day we shall face the wrath of this Higher Power for all the sins we have done to mankind.
Even when we screw up the environment in the pursuit of easy and quick wealth we eventually pay for it when Tsunamis, landslides, and so on, hit us and bury us in our sleep. Sometimes, we who perpetuate the crime do not suffer the retribution. Sometimes others are the victims while we escape punishment. But those who get punished are not really that innocent. When we stand by and do nothing about what others do to the environment we are as guilty as those who are directly responsible. So we pay the price of the folly of others.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi talks about the ‘Little Napoleons’. A more accurate term would be ‘Little Firauns’. Malaysia is rife with Little Firauns. These are those arrogant sons-of-bitches who think that they have the power of life and death over you. And they will not hesitate to abuse this power if you ever disagree with them.
To classify someone a Firaun is the ultimate insult in Islam. You can call him a dog or a pig. He can still live with that. But to call a Muslim a Firaun is something really mean. I was told that when Ezam Mohd Noor, the then Parti Keadilan Nasional Youth Leader, called Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad ‘Mahafiraun’, the old man was extremely hurt. He had been called many things but he can take all that. But Mahafiraun was just too much. Mahathir really took offence to that and it is said it hurt him deeply.
By the way, Ezam is behind GERAK, the NGO that is screaming until the cows come home about the cows that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is alleged to have donated to his constituency. GERAK is upset that Tan Sri ‘abused his authority’ by purchasing 46 cows worth RM110,400.
That reminds me of the Pendang and Anak Bukit by-elections in Kedah soon after the PAS President, Ustaz Fadzil Nor died. Umno sent hundreds of cows and camels to the voters. These poor animals were slaughtered and the meat was distributed to the voters in Pendang, basically a Malay-majority seat. Umno managed to grab that parliament seat from PAS on the carcass of cows and camels.
Last night I was with a few friends and we started talking about the alarmingly high number of extra-judicial killings. One chap commented that over the last ten years about 1,500 detainees have died while under police custody. He said he was going to compile a list of names and publish it in his Blog. Another chap commented that an estimated 90% of those killed are Indians.
This reminded me of the CPO of Johor who used to be the CPO of Terengganu when I first met him. As soon as he took over as the Johor CPO the newspapers carried reports about the many criminals shot dead at the scene of the crime. I congratulated him on the success of the police in Johor since he took over and asked him about the high number of ‘killed at the scene’ cases.
The CPO replied that he has instructed his men to not bring back any prisoners. They are to be eliminated. If any police officer brings back a prisoner he would be demoted and assigned to traffic duty. That is why they shoot criminals on sight and don’t bother to arrest them,
This CPO was later asked to resign because it was discovered he was behind the luxury car theft syndicate. It seems they steal expensive cars from Singapore and smuggle them into Malaysia to be registered as ‘imported reconditioned cars’. (Now you know what some of the APs are used for). Also implicated in this syndicate were the Customs Department (who approve the ‘imports’) and the Road Transport Department (who register these ‘imported reconditioned cars). It was a ring involving three government departments.
Not long after the CPO was forced to resign he suffered a stroke and was bed-ridden. He never got to enjoy his millions of ill-gotten gains.
One day, while I was enjoying my coffee in Starbucks, a friend pointed out a Malay man struggling to walk into Bangsar Village, aided by two members of his family. According to my friend, the man, who had suffered a severe stroke and could hardly stand up un-aided, used to be a police chief.
It seems, according to my friend, this one-time police chief was the man who investigated the kidnapping of a certain infamous Chief Minister’s son. The six Indian ‘kidnappers’ were eventually arrested. But the police chief kept the ransom money and executed the six kidnappers, as dead mean tell no tales.
“How do you know this?” I asked my friend. He replied he had attended their funeral and all had bullets holes in the back of their skull. Invariably, the ransom money, which the police confiscated, disappeared.
Well, this police chief has also suffered a stroke and can no longer enjoy his millions of blood money, just like that CPO of Johor and the many others who I do not wish to tell their stories yet.
Today, we are still seeing this arrogance perpetuated. It is still the shame shit, only different cows this time. And while GERAK makes much ado about some cows, the pigs get to rip us off in our sleep. But the Higher Power eventually teaches these Firauns that they are not God. And God swallowed Pharaoh when the parted sea closed back. And this time the sea of Malaysian voters will swallow the Little Pharaohs who think they are God and have the power of life and death over us.
Muthupalaniappan gesticulating outside the MIC headquarters on Jan 19 after attending a disciplinary committee hearing. On his left is lawyer Datuk M.S. Murthi
By Baradan Kuppusamy
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 — The MIC has summarily expelled former vice-president Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan, who was planning to challenge Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the party presidency.
The expulsion means Samy Vellu, who has been leading the party since 1979, will effectively be re-elected MIC president for an 11th term in March.
However, the expulsion ironically clears the way for Muthupalaniappan to join PKR and take thousands of his MIC supporters into the opposition party at a time when the MIC can ill-afford it.
His supporters have been pushing him to cross over ever since the March 8 general election but Muthupalaniappan had resisted the move, telling his supporters the MIC can "rebrand itself."
He refused to comment on his plans but said he was deeply saddened by the summary expulsion.
"I am shocked and saddened," Muthupalaniappan told The Malaysian Insider when contacted today. "This is a farce, a great injustice to the MIC and the Indian community.
"This script (my expulsion) was written by Samy Vellu and executed by Vadiveloo (MIC disciplinary committee chairman Tan Sri G. Vadiveloo). He wanted me removed and I was removed," Muthupalaniappan said.
"I am consulting my lawyers now and will issue a detailed statement later," he said.
A letter signed by Vadiveloo and dated Jan 21 brought the bad news to Muthupalaniappan, a veteran MIC man who had always said "I will live or die with the MIC."
Samy Vellu's term as president expires on May 25 and the party has to issue notices for an election three months before that.
Muthupalaniappan was charged with tarnishing the party's image in several press statements that allegedly disparaged Samy Vellu, damaged the party and brought disrepute.
The disciplinary committee met on Jan 19 and rejected all objections by Muthupalaniappan, a veteran MIC leader having been Negri Sembilan MIC chief since 1985 and also vice-president, and proceeded to question him on his press statements.
He had asked for a three-day extension to bring 15 witnesses, urged Vadiveloo, who is accused of being an interested party, to recuse himself and admit two of his lawyers to act for him during the hearing.
His request was rejected and the inquiry ended in about 30 minutes.
Most MIC insiders had expected Muthupalaniappan to be suspended for a month or two until the presidential election and Samy Vellu safely in the president's seat but not an outright expulsion.
He has a right of appeal and Muthupalaniappan said today he will appeal but insiders said he is likely instead to join PKR and take thousands of MIC members into the opposition.
"He is wildly popular and his expulsion does a great deal of damage to the MIC and the Indian community," said K.P. Samy, a Klang MIC leader who is close to former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam.
Muthupalaniappan has two weeks to appeal the expulsion but he is unlikely to be reinstated anytime soon, party officials said, citing recent statements by him as reasons.
"He singled out Samy Vellu in his attacks and the president has decided not to forgive him," the insiders said.
Ironically Muthupalaniappan was instrumental in the rise of Samy Vellu over his rival Subramaniam in the 1980s and was a staunch Samy Vellu man, acquiescing in the expulsion of MIC members in the early years.
Happy and auspicious Chinese New Year of the Ox to all Malaysians.
When Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th and first African-American President, he embodied the American dream rallying bipartisan support with the majority of Americans uplifted by better hopes for the future.
The question Malaysians should ponder on the occasion of the Chinese New Year of the Ox is whether Malaysians regardless of race, religion or territory, can share a common Malaysian dream to build a united, harmonious, democratic, just, meritocratic, competitive and prosperous nation.
The next 12 months will be a very difficult and challenging one, whether on the economic, political or nation-building front.
Two days after Chap Goh Mei on Feb. 11, Malaysia’s human rights record will face scrutiny by the United Nations Human Rights Council, which will investigate and consider the human rights situation in Malaysia as part of the Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of countries.
Malaysia’s human rights record is not going to come out smelling of roses from the Council’s UPR, especially with the recent slate of human rights atrocities, such as:
• Another outrageous death in police custody, i.e. the suspected car thief A. Kugan, 22, held under a two-week remand for investigations into several luxury car theft cases, who collapsed and died at the Taipan police station in USJ, Subang Jaya on Tuesday;
• The victimisation of 21 people, including DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara, Tony Pua, DAP Selangor executive council member Ronnie Liu, Kampung Tunku DAP assemblyman Lau Weng San, a Catholic priest Reverend Father Paulino Francesco Miranda of the Church of Divine Mercy, who were charged in the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court yesterday for an illegal assembly in front of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) building on Oct. 9 last year in a candlelight vigil protesting against the Internal Security Act;
• The tightening of the screws in government censorship, control and manipulation of the mass media as evident in recent weeks; and
• Violation of the freedom of religion in the Home Ministry’s action against the Catholic weekly, Herald, over the continued use of the word “Allah”.
How will Malaysia human rights record fare in this first UPR review of the UN Human Rights Council?
Has the Cabinet met to prepare for the UPR review and should Parliament send a delegation to submit a report to the Human Rights Council for the review?
Deserving thoughts for the Chinese New Year – together with the world’s worst economic crisis and the ongoing political tsunami since the March 8 general election last year.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- The MIC wants an independent committee of eminent persons to investigate detainee A. Kugan's death under police custody, whereas the MCA wants a second autopsy to uncover the actual cause of death.
Both Barisan Nasional (BN) parties want the police to take swift action for greater transparency and accountability on the part of the government.
MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel said a transparent move on the part of the government would regain public confidence on the police.
He said the party wanted the government to set up an independent committee of eminent persons to investigate the death of 22-year-old Kugan while in police custody.
"The committee should be empowered to look into the entire ambit of lock-up procedures and close-circuit camera recordings available (at lock-ups)," he said today.
Palanivel was commenting on Kugan's death while being held at the Subang Taipan police station lock-up on Thursday. Earlier, the death was clasified under Section 330 of the Penal Code which indicates voluntarily causing hurt to extort a confession.
Yesterday, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said the case was re-classified as murder as there were bruises on the body.
In a related development, MCA Central Committee member Wong Nai Chee said in a statement that a second autopsy should be conducted in a professional manner to uncover the actual cause of the death.
He said MCA was aghast with the extent of the injuries on Kugan who allegedly collapsed and died while under police custody.
"We call upon (home minister) Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and (inspector-general of police) Tan Sri Musa Hassan to take swift action (against the culprits).
"As the public finds it difficult to accept the reasons (for Kugan's death) given by the Selangor police chief (Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar) that Kugan died of breathing difficulties, investigations must be conducted in a transparent manner," said Wong who also heads MCA Youth, Legal Affairs and Parliamentary Research Bureau.
He said the party welcomed Abdul Gani's decision to re-classify the case as murder.
Meanwhile in Tebedu (SARAWAK), Musa appealed to the public not to speculate on Kugan's death until a report on the investigations was completed.
He gave an assurance that the police would conduct an indepth investigation without any cover-up.
Musa was speaking to reporters after visiting the Customs and Immigration Quarantine Centre in Tebedu.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 24 (Bernama) -- The MIC has expelled presidential aspirant Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan from the party, dashing his hopes of contesting the party top post at the presidential election expected to be held either in April or May.
"I received a letter dated Jan 21, 2009 from Tan Sri G.Vadiveloo as chairman of the disciplinary committee stating that I am expelled from membership of MIC with immediate effect and further saying that I may appeal within 14 days from the receipt of the expulsion letter to the CWC (MIC central working committee, the party's highest decision-making body).
"Although in the letter he said that the decision was after due consideration of my explanation, I was not given the due chance to adduce any witness to prove that the statements made by myself are lawful and the truth, nothing but the whole truth," Muthupalaniappan said in a statement here today.
On Tuesday, Muthupalaniappan faced the three-man MIC disciplinary committee after he was given a show-cause notice for issuing press statements against the interests of the party.
He faced the committee for 45 minutes before telling waiting reporters he was not allowed to, among others, bring his lawyers to the hearing, adduce 15 witnesses and obtain a new date for the hearing.
"The whole process is an eyewash and pre-empted action to stop me from contesting in the forthcoming MIC presidential election," Muthupalaniappan, who is also a former MIC vice-president, said in the statement.
He said the action against him was due to fear that incumbent president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu would face the same fate as his last parliamentary election in Sungai Siput if Muthupalaniappan were to contest the MIC top post.
Samy Vellu, who has been at the helm of the MIC since 1979, lost the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in the last general election in March 2008.
"Anyway, no right-thinking person will accept him as the president of the MIC. He (Samy Vellu) cannot claim to be the popular leader of the Indian community.
"Samy Vellu and his cronies may remove me from MIC but they cannot remove me from my services to the Indian community and the nation. I am happy that it is the right time for me not to be a member of the MIC," Muthupalaniappan said.
He said that if he continued to be a member of the party, he would have been branded as a traitor to the community, the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the nation.
"However, I am proud to feel that in my MIC leadership as an elected state chairman for 16 years, not an appointed one, I did bring a lot of development, changes and benefit to the Indian community and the state to the satisfaction of the entire Indian community in the state. That was MIC before," said the 68-year-old leader from Seremban.
Muthupalaniappan further said that he had wanted to bring "a great change" in the MIC but "I feel Samy Vellu needs the MIC presidency as a shield".
"I hope sooner or later MIC grassroots-level leaders will place the MIC's interests before themselves," he added.
The Malaysian authorities must initiate an independent, impartial, prompt and effective investigation into the death of 22-year-old Kugan Ananthan, Amnesty International said today, amid reports that he may have been tortured in police custody.
The young man died on 20 January after being held for five days in the Taipan Police station in Subang Jaya in west Malaysia on suspicion of stealing cars. State Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar has said that Kugan was being questioned by an investigating officer when he asked for a glass of water and suddenly collapsed. Police initially claimed that Kugan had died of “breathing difficulties”, and a post-mortem report said he had died due to fluid in his lungs.
His family strongly contest the police claim of how he died. On the night of the incident, an estimated group of 50 people, including members of Kugan’s family, stormed the Serdang Hospital mortuary where Kugan’s body was taken for a post-mortem. Some of them took photographs of his body, showing signs of injury, which were later published on the blog of a Member of Parliament.
“Only through a prompt and impartial investigation will people really know what happened to Kugan,” said Hazel Galang, Amnesty International’s Malaysia Researcher. “The government needs to show it is taking a strong stand against torture, especially with the country’s human rights record set to be scrutinised by the United Nations Human Rights Council in February.”
Several people, including Kugan’s family and political party representatives, have lodged reports with the police, urging a thorough investigation.
This death in custody follows the case of B Prabakar, a 27 year old car park attendant, who alleges that he was tortured by at least ten police officers at the Brickfields police district headquarters in Selangor State in December 2008. Seven police officers have pleaded not guilty, after being charged at Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on 15 January with committing an act of “criminal intimidation” and “voluntarily causing hurt to extort confession”.
Mr Prabakar says the police beat him with a rubber hose, splashed boiling water on his body, and asked him to stand on a chair, with a cloth around his neck, and threatened to hang him. He was arrested on 23 December in connection with a robbery, and released five days later.
Following his release, police took him to a private clinic for medial treatment during which, he says, the doctor spoke only to officers and not to him. He stated further that he was offered the equivalent of US$140 in return for not lodging a complaint against the police. Prabakar’s 18 year old cousin, C Soloman Raj, who was arrested at the same time as Prabakar, also claims that he was tortured.
Amnesty International has previously reported on cases of torture in Malaysia, including Sanjeev Kumar, who was detained under the Internal Security Act for a year and released in 2008; and M. Ulaganathan, who died in police custody in 2003. Sources close to Sanjeev gave an account of his torture and ill-treatment during his first eight weeks of detention at the Federal Police Headquarters in July 2007 in Kuala Lumpur. In July 2008, in a rare case, the High Court awarded damages to the mother of Ulaganathan who died while in police custody in 2003.
“These cases are violations of international human rights standards governing law enforcement officers,” said Hazel Galang. “Police are failing to respect the rights of detainees in custody. The government must act on this, and prosecute police officers who have violated the human rights of these detainees.”
Background Malaysia is scheduled to be reviewed by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations on 11 February 2009. Under this procedure the human rights situations in all UN member states are reviewed on a periodic basis.
In a 2005 report, the government-created Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police made recommendations regarding the conduct for the police when investigating cases. The Commission proposed an independent external police oversight body to oversee complaints on police misconduct and a code of practice relating to the arrest and detention of persons, which would provide for an independent custody officer responsible for the welfare and custody of every detainee. The Commission also proposed procedures for the conduct of police interviews, including the use of tape recordings, video surveillance and access to lawyers for all suspects during interrogation.
None of these recommendations for police reform have been implemented. The non-implementation of such recommendations from the government-constituted body demonstrates a lack of commitment on the part of the Malaysian government to bring about reform and to establish compliance with human rights standards as a norm in policing work in Malaysia.
Amnesty International calls on the Malaysian government to implement these recommendations.
POLICE LINE DIVIDE: Amidst the tense demonstration, two middle-ranked police officers opened discussions with representatives of the demonstrators on how many people would be allowed to enter the Bukit Aman premise to submit a memorandum on Kugan’s death to Deputy CID director Datuk Rodwan Yusof. Eventually, the seven selected included Kugan’s mother, sister and brother. -- NST pix by MOHD FADLI HAMZAH
V. Anbalagan, Farrah Naz Karim & Jennifer Gomez
NST, Jan 23 2009
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has classified the death of lock-up detainee S. Kugan as murder. He instructed the police to investigate the death based on the injuries suffered by the deceased, he told the NST this afternoon.
"The due course of law will take effect. Let the police investigate and we will decide on the prosecution based on the evidence," he said.
In an immediate reaction, Datuk S. K. Devamany praised the Gani's initiative. "That’s very good," he told the NST.
On reports that police are unhappy with him and Senator T. Murugiah for joining the mob that a mob which forced its way into the Serdang Hospital mortuary on Tuesday night to inspect Kugan's body, he said: "I don’t regret going there. The rakyat needed us. After all, as an MIC central committee member and as a deputy minister, this is my job, to serve the rakyat and to serve the Indian community when they need help."
"If there is no foul play, then no one should be afraid. Let the law prevail. For now, I can see that with the murder charges, justice has prevailed." The Human Rights Commission welcomed the Attorney-General's instruction to police. Its chairman Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman said probing the death was the “right thing to do.”
“Let the police collect the evidence for the attorney-general to decide without fear or favour on the next course of action,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Bukit Aman, about 50 Opposition and BN members joined Kugan's family in demonstrating outside the national police headquarters, carrying banners and demanding the resignation of Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar.
The crowd, which began gathering at 3pm, became agitated when policemen ordered them to take down the banner at 4pm and disperse. However, the crowd ignored the order.
The 50-strong policemen also tried to take down the banner but the crowd resisted and shouted at the police, claiming they wanted to demonstrate peacefully.
At 3.30pm, two police officers began discussions with the demonstrators on how many people can enter into the Bukit Aman office to hand over a memorandum outlining their demands.
Twenty minutes later, seven members of the demonstrators, including Kugan's mother, sister and brother joined the politicians to enter the Bukit Aman premise and handed over the memorandum to Deputy Criminal Investigations Department director Datuk Rodwan Yusof.
The memorandum chiefly demanded a second post-mortem be carried out on Kugan's body and insisted that a special Bukit Aman team handle the investigations besides imploring that Selangor police stay out of the probe. The demonstrators eventually dispersed at 5.20pm.
Earlier, in KUCHING, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan pledged that an in-depth investigation will be launched into Kugan's death.
The probe will be carried out despite a post-mortem report indicating that Kugan’s death was due to pulmonary edema or fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Musa, however, criticised the actions of a mob which forced its way into the Serdang Hospital mortuary on Tuesday night, evicted the hospital staff and locked themselves in for two hours.
They were believed to have taken pictures of Kugan’s body, which they claimed had bruises all over.
“The mob incident has only tampered with evidence, which shouldn't happen in the first place. The group should not have obstructed the medical team from performing their duties that night.
“If the family insists on another post mortem, then it is up to them and it is also up to whether a doctor is willing to do so. As far as the investigation goes, the post mortem was conducted by an authorised government medical officer,” said Musa after chairing the 1st Tripartite meeting between the police chiefs of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei yesterday.
Kugan was arrested on Jan 14 to assist police in several robbery and car theft cases. With his assistance, police recovered 15 stolen luxury vehicles. He collapsed and died during interrogation on Tuesday morning.
Police have contacted two deputy ministers, Senator T. Murugaiah and Datuk S.K. Devamany, both with the Prime Minister's Department, to have their statements recorded.
Both were said to have been there during the incident, but have claimed they were contacted separately and arrived only after the mob had locked themselves in. Both have said they were willing to cooperate in the investigations.
Police have also identified most of the 50 people in the mob.
The Bar Council used Kugan's death to call on the authorities to expedite ongoing inquests into other custodial deaths.
"We are deeply concerned that this custodial death will be relegated to a mere statistic like the others," Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said in a statement.
The look in the eyes says it all. The crowd which gathered this afternoon in Bukit Aman are not going to give up on the now classified ‘murder’ case of A Kugan. The policemen, right, keeping the cordon would be thinking too of the 11 policemen now being questioned over their watch of Kugan, leading to his death. — pic by Choo Choy May, themalaysianinsider.com
makkalosai230901
MIC Youth wants independent probe into Kugan’s death
By A. LETCHUMANAN
The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth on Friday called for an independent inquiry into the death of suspected car thief A. Kugan.
Its coordinator T. Mohan said the inquiry would be able to shed light on what had happened. The 22-year-old Kugan died in police custody on Tuesday after being detained for five days.
He was being held under a two-week remand order to facilitate investigations into several luxury car thefts.
Mohan also denied claims that Kugan’s family had “barged” into the Serdang Hospital mortuary on Tuesday night to look at his body.
“In fact, it was the hospital authorities who gave permission for the family to identify the body,” he said, adding that family members were shocked to see the injuries on the body.
Mohan denied Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar’s allegation that the family had “tampered” with Kugan’s remains during the incident.
“DCP Khalid seems to have jumped the gun by shifting blame to family members when the actual culprits ... are still free,” he said.
According to the post-mortem report, Kugan died because he had liquid in his lungs. It is however not known what caused this.
MIC Youth division leaders throughout the country have lodged more than 25 reports at various police stations urging an investigation into Kugan’s death as well as for action to be taken against Khalid.
The state police chief had earlier vowed that there would be no cover-up in police investigations into the death.
Meanwhile, Klang MP Charles Santiago criticised Khalid for trying to protect his officers and for claiming that Kugan had died of breathing difficulties.
“I have watched the video recording of Kugan taken at the mortuary and there were severe marks on his body, deep cuts on his wrists and bruises on his legs,” the DAP politician claimed.
Santiago said this was not the first case of police detainees being abused or of custodial death.
A bashful Sukerit Kaur, 9, sings a message of human solidarity
He is my father
She is also my mother
She is my best friend
He is my brother
An interfaith prayer vigil and reflection for peace in Gaza was held in the hall of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Penang last night, attended by about a hundred people.
Among those who led the prayers for peace was Fr Francis Xavier, the parish priest of the Cathedral. JIM central committee member Mohd Rashid Hasnon (centre) sang the azan and stressed the importance of peace in Islam.
Representatives of other faiths - Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Brahma Kumaris - also led the crowd in similar prayers and meditations for peace.
Once again we are appalled and shocked that yet another young man has died in police custody. The death of 22-year old A. Kugan occurred in highly suspicious circumstances that raise very alarming questions about the treatment of detainees in police custody and the methods of interrogation used. The question on everyone’s mind is how a young man, who was apparently in good health, died while under police care just five days after being arrested.
Disturbing and explicit photographs and video footage of the deceased individual are now available in the public domain. They reveal shockingly severe, inexplicable injuries on his body, which appear to be consistent with physical restraint and torture. The onus is squarely on the police, who had custody of the individual, to immediately explain the circumstances of his sudden death.
The Bar Council calls for prompt and serious action by the authorities, including an immediate, impartial, transparent and thorough investigation into this custodial death, preferably by an independent committee. In this regard we welcome the Attorney-General’s announcement that he is treating this case as one of murder, and the Inspector-General of Police’s statement that there will be no cover-up.
We trust that undue attention will not be given to the incident at the mortuary. It reflected the reactions of persons who were understandably outraged and emotional about A. Kugan’s sudden and unexplained death. It also sadly reflects their lack of faith in the system and the authorities to uncover the truth in a transparent and unbiased manner. This view prevails because none of the perpetrators of similar acts in the past have been brought to book.
This is not the first custodial death in recent years and our fear is that it will not be the last. Such tragedies bring to the fore, once again, the dire need for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, to function as an independent, external oversight body to investigate complaints about police personnel and to make the police accountable for their conduct.
We also call on the authorities to expedite the ongoing inquests into other custodial deaths. We are deeply concerned that this custodial death will be relegated to a mere statistic, like the others. As a civilised nation, we must not let this happen.
Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan President Malaysian Bar 23 January 2009
Gesaan saya kepada pimpinan akar umbi Sabah untuk bersiap sedia di Pensiangan. Saya sempat mengadakan pertemuan tertutup dengan pimpinan gereja Sabah selain bersama peniaga Sabah disebelah malam.
Selaku Pengurusi Perhubungan Keadilan Negeri Sabah, saya menyediakan ruang waktu lumayan mendengar pandangan dan rintihan wakil-wakil bahagian sehingga jam 1 pagi dan kemudian disambung selama 2 jam pagi tadi.
They are not doing this with East- timor delegates but it is just piece of low class mentality that they want to show other. This country will appear as Pakistan , Sudan and Somalia one day.
"Mereka dipindahkan untuk mempercepatkan siasatan. Kita menjangka ia dapat disiapkan dalam masa tiga hari.
Among those who led the prayers for peace was Fr Francis Xavier, the parish priest of the Cathedral. JIM central committee member Mohd Rashid Hasnon (centre) sang the azan and stressed the importance of peace in Islam. 
Once again we are appalled and shocked that yet another young man has died in police custody. The death of 22-year old A. Kugan occurred in highly suspicious circumstances that raise very alarming questions about the treatment of detainees in police custody and the methods of interrogation used. The question on everyone’s mind is how a young man, who was apparently in good health, died while under police care just five days after being arrested. 
