A MIC leader says while the police can act with speed against those who allegedly make seditious statements, it however drags its feet on more important matters.
PETALING JAYA: There seems to be a ‘seditious lack of speed’ in the police’s investigation concerning the death of N Dhamendran, said a MIC leader.
Vexed over the feet-dragging, S Vell Paari called on the police to be as swift on this case as it was in arresting opposition figures under the Sedition Act.
Furthermore, he said Dhamendran’s death in the hands of policemen was a more serious crime than that of calling for street rallies.
“When the police can work with such ferocity in arresting people on sedition charges…Why is it taking so long to disclose who was responsible for Dhamendran’s death?” he asked.
The MIC strategy director was also disappointed that the policemen involved had been re-assigned to desk duties, and called for their suspension pending the completion of the investigation.
“Going by this logic, would the police also find desk jobs for other murder suspects as well?
“This is preposterous! Dhamendran’s ears and ankles were stapled, what kind of animal would do this… Definitely one which belongs in a cage and not behind a desk,” he added.
Push for IPCMC
Vell Paari said while he welcomed Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s move to set up a committee to probe custodial deaths, he however stressed on the importance of establishing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
“With due respect to Khalid, how is it proper for the accused [the police] to investigate itself? To be transparent and to avoid conflict of interest, it must be an independent probe.
“How long more would custodial deaths continue without proper action?” he asked.
In view of this, Vell Paari said he would write to MIC secretary-general A Shaktivel to convene an emergency Central Working Committee meeting to table the IPCMC proposal.
Instead of being caught up in the jostling for positions in the upcoming party polls, he called on MIC state chiefs, division and branch chairmen as well as members to back this proposal.
“We should raise the IPCMC issue in Parliament. With our four MPs, we should also seek the support of MCA, Gerakan and parties from East Malaysia to support this motion. I am certain that for the sake of justice, they would do the right thing,” he added.
Vell Paari, who commended PKR leaders such as N Surendran for taking up Dhamendran’s case, was also confident that Pakatan Rakyat and certain Umno MPs would back the IPCMC proposal.
“If this motion is supported and carried forward then we would set a precedent for a very interesting chapter in Malaysia’s political evolution… Where parties from both sides of the divide join hands for the common good of the nation.
“Since the Umno leadership has already started the ball rolling on a single party… I think there is no harm for other Barisan Nasional component parties to roll the ball further with an alliance amongst us and others in doing what is right for Malaysia and all Malaysians.
“This is not about overthrowing the government but seeking justice for lives that have been lost in the custody of those who are assigned to protect us,” he added.
Vell Paari, who also called on all Indian-based political parties and NGOs to support the proposal, said that if the move to push for the IPCMC failed to prompt the government to set it up, then he would tell Malaysians to heed Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s advice.
“If such a pressing issue is not supported… Then I suppose Zahid was right in saying that those who have no confidence in the political system here should emigrate. I wouldn’t blame those who do so for the sake of their children’s future,” he added.
Hold suspects in remand
In a related development, Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy said he was aghast that the policemen involved in Dhamendran’s case had been given desk jobs.
“Murder is a non-bailable offence in Malaysia, the suspected police officers should be suspended and held in remand until the investigations are over.
“The law is equal for police personnel as well as for the general public therefore any lesser action would only further frustrate the general public in the double standard practiced against these police officers with such blatant immunity provided to them,” he added.
Waythamoorthy, who had been appointed as a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said such ineffectual action would only further erode public confidence in the police.
“How does the police expect to restore public confidence in their professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness of the police service to reduce crime, reassure the people about the safety of the streets, public spaces and homes if they are unable to take stern actions against their own suspected police officers?” he asked.
The post-mortem report stated that Dhamendran died of blunt force trauma and the police have classified the case as murder.
PETALING JAYA: There seems to be a ‘seditious lack of speed’ in the police’s investigation concerning the death of N Dhamendran, said a MIC leader.Vexed over the feet-dragging, S Vell Paari called on the police to be as swift on this case as it was in arresting opposition figures under the Sedition Act.
Furthermore, he said Dhamendran’s death in the hands of policemen was a more serious crime than that of calling for street rallies.
“When the police can work with such ferocity in arresting people on sedition charges…Why is it taking so long to disclose who was responsible for Dhamendran’s death?” he asked.
The MIC strategy director was also disappointed that the policemen involved had been re-assigned to desk duties, and called for their suspension pending the completion of the investigation.
“Going by this logic, would the police also find desk jobs for other murder suspects as well?
“This is preposterous! Dhamendran’s ears and ankles were stapled, what kind of animal would do this… Definitely one which belongs in a cage and not behind a desk,” he added.
Push for IPCMC
Vell Paari said while he welcomed Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s move to set up a committee to probe custodial deaths, he however stressed on the importance of establishing the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
“With due respect to Khalid, how is it proper for the accused [the police] to investigate itself? To be transparent and to avoid conflict of interest, it must be an independent probe.
“How long more would custodial deaths continue without proper action?” he asked.
In view of this, Vell Paari said he would write to MIC secretary-general A Shaktivel to convene an emergency Central Working Committee meeting to table the IPCMC proposal.
Instead of being caught up in the jostling for positions in the upcoming party polls, he called on MIC state chiefs, division and branch chairmen as well as members to back this proposal.
“We should raise the IPCMC issue in Parliament. With our four MPs, we should also seek the support of MCA, Gerakan and parties from East Malaysia to support this motion. I am certain that for the sake of justice, they would do the right thing,” he added.
Vell Paari, who commended PKR leaders such as N Surendran for taking up Dhamendran’s case, was also confident that Pakatan Rakyat and certain Umno MPs would back the IPCMC proposal.
“If this motion is supported and carried forward then we would set a precedent for a very interesting chapter in Malaysia’s political evolution… Where parties from both sides of the divide join hands for the common good of the nation.
“Since the Umno leadership has already started the ball rolling on a single party… I think there is no harm for other Barisan Nasional component parties to roll the ball further with an alliance amongst us and others in doing what is right for Malaysia and all Malaysians.
“This is not about overthrowing the government but seeking justice for lives that have been lost in the custody of those who are assigned to protect us,” he added.
Vell Paari, who also called on all Indian-based political parties and NGOs to support the proposal, said that if the move to push for the IPCMC failed to prompt the government to set it up, then he would tell Malaysians to heed Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s advice.
“If such a pressing issue is not supported… Then I suppose Zahid was right in saying that those who have no confidence in the political system here should emigrate. I wouldn’t blame those who do so for the sake of their children’s future,” he added.
Hold suspects in remand
In a related development, Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy said he was aghast that the policemen involved in Dhamendran’s case had been given desk jobs.“Murder is a non-bailable offence in Malaysia, the suspected police officers should be suspended and held in remand until the investigations are over.
“The law is equal for police personnel as well as for the general public therefore any lesser action would only further frustrate the general public in the double standard practiced against these police officers with such blatant immunity provided to them,” he added.
Waythamoorthy, who had been appointed as a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said such ineffectual action would only further erode public confidence in the police.
“How does the police expect to restore public confidence in their professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness of the police service to reduce crime, reassure the people about the safety of the streets, public spaces and homes if they are unable to take stern actions against their own suspected police officers?” he asked.
The post-mortem report stated that Dhamendran died of blunt force trauma and the police have classified the case as murder.
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