IGP to head special committee to prevent deaths in police lock-ups (Updated)

Bukit Aman management director Commissioner Datuk Mortadza Nazarene.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has formed a special committee to take steps in order to prevent deaths in police lock-ups.

The committee, led by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, was formed following the death of N. Dhamendran during detention on May 21, Bukit Aman management director Commissioner Datuk Mortadza Nazarene said Tuesday.

The steps the committee is taking include frequent visits by doctors to check on the well being of detainees.

Comm Mortadza said currently, doctors would only visit the lock-ups when necessary.

"We are in discussions with the Health Ministry to iron out the details so that this can be implemented as soon as possible," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman.

He said the committee, which consists of the CID director, Inspector-General of Police secretariat personnel and himself, has also implemented centralised lock-ups for the detention of suspects.
"These lock-ups come equipped with CCTVs, intercom systems, a drop-off area for 'Black Maria' trucks, lawyer's room, courtrooms, control centre, mess area, transit room and identification parade room," he said, adding that detainees from various district police headquarters (IPD) would be brought to these central lock-ups instead of being held at the IPDs.

Comm Mortadza said four central lock-ups were already in operation at Jinjang, Shah Alam, Indera Mahkota in Kuantan, and Kota Kinabalu.

He said the committee has also agreed on visits by Suhakam, with the permission of the lock-up warden.

"We welcome Suhakam representatives to come over for discussions on these visitations which can begin immediately," he said.

It was reported that Dharmendran had complained of chest pains while being detained at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters lock-up and was immediately sent to the Kuala Lumpur hospital for treatment but died upon arrival.

City police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohmad Salleh said post mortem results revealed the victim might have been murdered while in police custody at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.
A special taskforce from Bukit Aman CID has taken charge of investigations and its deputy director, Deputy Comm Datuk Hadi Ho Abdullah, said statements of a number of witnesses have been taken to get a clearer picture of the circumstances behind Dhamendran's death.