'Cop helped thugs extort money from renovator'

By Teoh El Sen

KUALA LUMPUR: A police officer has been accused of siding with gangsters and extorting money from a part-time renovator. Baskaran Krishanan, 30, claimed that a sergeant at the Beranang police station had ignored his report on two men who had assaulted and extorted money from him.

Instead of arresting them, the sergeant allegedly made a deal with the duo and acted as a “broker" to further extort money from him.

Baskaran was even allegedly asked to tear his police report.

His plight was recounted to the media this morning as rights group Suaram and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) submitted a memorandum to Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan at the Bukit Aman police headquarters here on the matter.

PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan said Baskaran's ordeal began when he was offered a job to renovate a cabinet in a house at Pangsapuri Bandar Tasik Kesuma two weeks ago by a man identified only as “Nathan".

"But after a few days when he finished the job except for a cabinet door that had to be specially ordered, Nathan became upset and said that he wanted the cabinet door as soon as possible.

"The following Friday, Nathan again asked for the door but Baskaran still could not produce it as the order had yet to arrive. That night, Baskaran was dragged out of his house by Nathan and two other men, one called 'Bob', and brought to a shop to discuss the problem," he said.

"They ordered beer and in the end asked Baskaran to pay the RM269 bill and an additional RM150 to compensate for the missing door.

"When Baskaran said he did not have any money, Bob got angry and punched Baskaran in the stomach and on the arms. Bob further threatened to injure his wife and son if he did not pay RM2,000 the next day," he added.

'Pay up or be arrested'

The next day, Arutchelvan said Baskaran lodged a police report at 10am with the Beranang police station and was told to return home.

"But two hours later, Nathan and Bob, who was armed with a parang, came to Baskaran's house when he was away and threatened his wife and one-year-old son. They also threatened to throw the child from the third floor," said the PSM leader.

At 3pm the same day, Baskaran received a phone call from the Beranang police station and was told to meet with the sergeant there.

Both Nathan and Bob were seen talking to the sergeant for 15 minutes before Baskaran was told to enter the room.

"He was told that the total amount he needs to pay was reduced to RM900 and the sergeant told him that he would have to pay RM250 a week to Nathan,” said Arutchelvan.

“When Baskaran said he did not have the amount, the sergeant said he did not care how he paid but it must be done at the police station next week or he would be arrested," he added.

Worried for his safety, Baskaran promised to do his best.

The sergeant subsequently asked Baskaran to tear the police report he made. Baskaran also allegedly saw Nathan passing some money to the police officer.

Arutchelvan said they wanted the case to be investigated by Bukit Aman as Baskaran was afraid of filing another report with the same police station.

"We also demand that the seargant be suspended as we believe he would interfere in the investigation and witness protection be given to Baskaran," added the PSM leader, who lodged a disciplinary report.

It was learnt that the discplinary department at Bukit Aman had assured that the matter would be investigated.

Baskaran, his wife and son were also present.

At press time, Kajang district police chief ACP Sakaruddin Che Mood was unavailable for comment.