MyWatch's Sanjeevan, woman inspector questioned in khalwat raid

PETALING JAYA: MyWatch chairman Datuk R. Sri Sanjeevan and a police inspector were caught during a khalwat (close proximity) raid at a luxury hotel in Seremban on Friday.

Sanjeevan and the inspector, reported to have been transferred, have not been arrested nor anything seized from them.

According to a report filed by Bukit Aman’s Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS), the raiding team comprising officers from JIPS and Negri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department, went to two connecting rooms at the hotel at 1.30am.

After identifying themselves, the team waited for 10 minutes before the occupant of Room 1002, who was the inspector attached to the Jempol station, opened the door.

They found the officer fully dressed and wearing a headscarf, while a brassiere was left on a chair, the report said.

The team then went to the other room, 1003, and found Sanjeevan alone and fully clothed. No woman’s clothes were found in the room.

The report said the inspector told police she was there to meet Sanjeevan but denied any intimate relationship.

Seremban OCPD ACP Muhammad Zaki Harun confirmed the report. He said the suspects did not commit any crime.

On the transfer of the inspector, he said it was unrelated to the case and transfers were normal procedures in the force.

Sanjeevan, in a WhatsApp reply to The Star Online, confirmed that he was in the hotel but “nothing inappropriate happened.”

“All I know I was alone in my room,” he said.

Don’t speculate on temple vandalism incident, says IGP

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has advised all quarters not to speculate on the incident where a Hindu temple was vandalised in Ipoh.

By Malaysiakini

This is after certain groups cast doubts on the official version that the suspect, a medical doctor, was suffering from a psychological condition.

“Our investigations have shown that the suspect was mentally unstable. There are medical records relating to this.

“The police have no reason to conceal information regarding this matter. It was an isolated incident involving a person who is ill,” Khalid told Malaysiakini.

The police chief also ruled out that the suspect was linked to any terrorist organisations, explaining that he acted on his own.

On the same note, he warned that those who spread rumours regarding this incident would face action.

“This incident involves a place of worship, irresponsible statements can cause unrest and lead to undesirable consequences. We would not hesitate to act,” he said.

Earlier today, MIC urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation to enable appropriate action to be taken against the suspect.

“We hope that the fact he has been sent to Hospital Bahagia Tanjong Rambutan (which specialises in treating mental disorders) will not prevent the authorities from investigating the case thoroughly and in taking all appropriate actions that need to be taken.

“It has to be noted that despite his mental impairment, the subject in question targeted a Hindu temple specifically,” said party information chief VS Mogan in a statement.

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II visited the affected temple and met with the people in the area this afternoon.

“They are questioning why the police has quickly drawn a conclusion that the person who did the act was mentally unstable. People are asking if he is a member of an extremist group.

“We understand that police are concerned that the matter do not go out of hand but the public need to know the truth. The police cannot control things if the public are not informed of the truth,” he said in a statement.

Also casting aspersions on the police’s version was the Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas), which questioned how an individual with a mental condition was allowed to roam free when he is a threat to others.

The suspect had reportedly run amok on Sunday and broke into the temple along Jalan Hospital, where he destroyed several statutes.

The individual later crashed his car into a bus stop not far from the temple while trying to escape and was subsequently arrested.

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/339307

Zzzzzz… sleeping beauties give cops a bad name

The duo are awaiting disciplinary action from their superior and have been transferred to another department.


FMT

GEORGE TOWN: Two policemen, who were caught sleeping in the Mak Mandin police community beat base, were immediately transferred to another department pending disciplinary action.

Penang CPO, Senior Deputy Commissioner (SDC) Abdul Rahim Hanafi ordered an internal investigation into the embarrassing incident as a photograph of the two sleeping police personnel went viral rapidly yesterday.

The duo was transferred immediately to the district police control room at north Seberang Perai (SPU) where they will work until suitable disciplinary action is taken.

The no-nonsense DCM Abdul Rahim, who said he would not compromise on disciplinary problems among police staff, added, “Such matters are serious and we will take appropriate and stern action on them.”

Police corporal arrested for killing suspected thief

Police corporal in his 30's shot the victim as a warning for the victim to stop his motorcycle

FMT

ALOR SETAR: A police corporal was arrested for opening fire and killing a man in Kampung Guar Nenas, Gurun, yesterday.

Kedah CID chief ACP Mohd Nashir Ya said in the incident at 1 pm, the Gurun Police Station received a report of a man lying in a bloodstained shirt in a quarry area in Kampung Guar Nenas.

“It was confirmed that a man with no identity card was lying with bloodstain on his shirt and signs of gunshots. There was an overturned motorcycle beside the victim,” he told in a press conference, here today.

Mohd Nashir said the victim, who was unemployed and aged in his 30′s, was sent to the Sungai Petani Hospital and was confirmed dead with gunshot wounds on his body.

After interrogation, the police corporal aged in his 30′s admitted that he shot the victim as a warning for the victim to stop his motorcycle, he said.

The suspect said a day prior to the incident, he had lost his motorcycle at the Gurun Rest and Service Area (R&R) and subsequently, he met a shaman (bomoh) to find out who had stolen his motorcycle, Mohd Nashir said.

“The shaman had told the suspect that he could find the person who stole it at an old factory in Guar Nenas area.

“Then, at 11.15 am the suspect drove a car with his wife and mother-in-law and left them at the roadside while he went to search for his motorcycle at the old factory,” he said.

Moments later, the suspect’s wife called him to say there was a man riding a Honda Ex5 in a suspicious manner trying to approach them (his wife and mother-in-law), Mohd Nashir said.

According to the wife, there was a machete, a set of walkie-talkie and a pink phone in the motorcycle basket.

Mohd Nashir said the suspect, who had served more than 10 years in the police force, was worried about his family’s safety and ran back to the car where he saw the victim trying to flee.

“However, the suspect managed to grab the victim’s shirt but the victim managed to run towards the main road in Kg. Guar Nenas.

“When the victim tried to speed off with the motorcycle, the suspect took out a pistol and fired a shot at the victim but the victim fled the scene,” he said.

Mohd Nashir said the suspect then went back to his office and handed over his pistol, the same pistol that shot the victim.

However, Mohd Nashir said the victim had nothing to do with the lost motorcycle, the suspect would be remanded beginning today, the police had detained him at 7 pm in Sungai Petani yesterday.

The case was being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, Mohd Nashir said.

- BERNAMA

Police records statement from Ismail Sabri over Facebook post – Bernama

Police yesterday recorded a statement from Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on his controversial boycott call of traders who hiked up prices which went viral on social media recently.

Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Ismail came to Bukit Aman about 3.15 pm today to give his statement.

"After this, we will call on all parties to record their statements in relation to the case, namely MCA, Gerakan and DAP, which had issued statements in rebuttal to the minister's statement to assist investigations," he told Bernama.

Ismail recently urged consumers to boycott traders who refused to reduce prices of goods and that move would bring benefits to all communities in the country.

But his posting was labeled as racist as it had targeted Chinese traders. – Bernama, February 10, 2015.

Gobalakrishnan detained by Penang cops

PKR man is detained for an alleged tweet and numerous Facebook postings about the practices of cops in the Penang police force.

FMT

KULIM: Former PKR MP for Padang Serai N Gobalakrishnan was detained by police here today in connection with alleged tweets and Facebook postings accusing some police officers of allegedly protecting hardcore criminals in Penang.

The outspoken Gobalakrishnan was picked up at about 3.10pm at his house in Kulim Golf and Country Resort by a raiding team from George Town city police and taken to the station for his statement.

When contacted, Gobalakrishnan’s son Praveen confirmed his father’s arrest.

Earlier this morning, Penang CPO Senior Deputy Commissioner Abdul Rahim Hanafi told newsmen that Gobalakrishnan would be investigated for intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace under Section 504 of the Penal Code.

Praveen said Gobalakrishnan was first told by police this morning to come to the Jalan Patani police station in George Town to record his statement over his alleged tweet and Facebook postings.

However Praveen explained that his father turned down the request citing illness, and instead invited the police to come to his house instead to record his statement.

“However, the police raiding team, which arrived in two vehicles, detained him and took him to Penang,” Praveen told FMT.

It is learnt that the former PKR local leader made the postings regarding the police in the wake of a police swoop on 33 Indian youths in Penang, who were allegedly partying at a birthday bash.

Last week on February 6, Gobalakrishnan allegedly tweeted: “some Penang Indian police officers are strongly backing the 04 gang, which deals with drugs.”

In his February 4 Facebook posting, Gobalakrishnan allegedly said: “Many Indian youths are hardcore gangsters but when you see their background they would have been arrested for petty problems and badly handled by the police.

“The minute they were arrested they would have been exposed to the harshest conditions, ill treated by the arresting policemen, attacked day and night while in detention, beaten with PVC pipes to admit to many crimes that they did not commit and the policemen would use vulgar words each and every time in interrogation.”

Gobalakrishnan also related the case of a young boy who was arrested in a raid in Penang and allegedly abused continuously for five days by Indian policemen in Penang, then moved to a Kulim lock-up for a further five days of torture in detention.

Gobalakrishnan explained that while in Kulim, the young boy had made enemies with a corrupt policeman who allegedly protected real gangsters involved in criminal activities including drugs.

The former MP said the Indian community could not possibly expect this young boy to emerge unscathed from the abuse he suffered at the hands for the police for over 10 days.

“There is law in the country but not for these poor boys,” Gobalakrishnan said.

In his February 5 Facebook posting, he allegedly said, “What happens when it is the police that is committing the crime.

“The police must wake up and act on irresponsible officers who commit the crimes. Be fair to all (and) the police must be an example by not committing even the smallest crime.”

In a February 7 Facebook posting of his, Gobalakrishnan allegedly said: “Yesterday (February 6), I tweeted about corrupted policemen out to destroy the Malaysian community and the IGP told reporters that I will be called for investigation.

“The day is nearly going to end and the police have not contacted me but many reporters have been calling me since morning.

“Hope that the police do call me or it will be just as if IGP cakap kosong saja.”

Police call up Ismail Sabri over his Facebook post

The minister will have his statement recorded this evening

FMT

PETALING JAYA: Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, will have his statement recorded at the nearest police station this evening over his controversial Facebook posting, The Star Online reported.

Ismail had earlier urged Malay consumers via Facebook to use their collective purchasing power to boycott Chinese businesses which refused to drop prices following the decrease in fuel prices.

Following criticism from the public, opposition politicians, as well as his colleagues in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, he justified his actions saying that his statement was a personal opinion, that was not directed at all Chinese, only traders who were profiteering.

Later, Ismail had said he was ready to be questioned by the police and was waiting for them to set the date to record his statement.

“We have summoned him and he has agreed to give his full cooperation,” informed Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, at the launch of the police college’s smart library.

He added that the meeting is scheduled to take place this evening, following the cabinet meeting.

Khalid revealed that parties from MCA, Gerakan and DAP who had lodged reports against Ismail would also be called in to help settle the matter.

“We will try to resolve the issue among them. I urge all parties not to prolong the matter, he said.

Policewoman freed of bribery charge

Court finds contradictory statements in the witnesses' testimonies on the amount of bribe alleged to have been put in the accused's handbag.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: A policewoman was acquitted and discharged by the Sessions Court here today of a charge of accepting a RM4,000 bribe for the release of a Cameroonian man arrested for robbery two years ago.

Judge Mohd Nasir Nordin made the decision after finding that the defence managed to raise a reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case against Insp Suriati Mohd Shafie, 34.

In his judgment, Mohd Nasir said the court found contradictory statements in the witnesses’ testimonies concerning the amount of bribe alleged to have been put in the accused’s handbag.

Suriati was seen to be shedding tears upon hearing the court’s decision.

She was accused of accepting a bribe of RM4,000 from Nurullizean Yahya as an inducement to release her husband, Tchouanseu Tchounga Armand, who was a suspect in a robbery case.

She was alleged to have committed the offence at Leval 3, Criminal Investigation Division at the Brickfields Police Headquarters between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on January 22, 2013.

The offence under Section 17(a) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and fine of up to RM10,000, if convicted.

Prosecuting officer R. Lakshumana Rao prosecuted, while Suriati was represented by lawyer G. Subramaniam Nair.

– BERNAMA

Bukan SOP tangkap peguam dengan 20 anggota polis, kata bekas KPN

Tan Sri Musa Hassan menegaskan bukan Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) polis untuk menahan peguam Eric Paulsen dengan menggunakan kekuatan 20 anggota.

Bekas ketua polis negara (KPN) itu berkata, Paulsen hanyalah seorang peguam maka memadai jika beliau dipanggil hadir ke balai polis.

“Saya tak tahu pasal apa 20 anggota nak tangkap dia seorang? SOP bukan begitu melainkan dia cuba melakukan kekerasan. Itu lain cerita," kata Musa dalam satu wawancara bersama The Malaysian Insider hari ini.

“Seorang atau dua anggota sudah cukup. Panggil dia serah diri di balai polis berdekatan. Dia peguam, serah diri saja,” katanya.

Susulan penahanannya malam tadi, kumpulan peguam Lawyers For Liberty (LFL) melalui akaun Twitter mereka berkata, lebih 20 anggota polis datang untuk menahan Paulsen yang kemudiannya dibawa ke Ibu Pejabat Polis Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur.

Ahli Parlimen Padang Serai N Surendran yang juga merupakan anggota LFL menerusi laman Twitternya berkata, polis membawa Paulsen ke firma guamannya, Daim & Gamany, dan merampas komputer ribanya.

Mengulas mengenai penahanan itu, Surendran berkata tindakan polis itu seperti tindakan terhadap seorang "gangster besar".

Peguam Paulsen, R Sivarasa hari ini berkata, polis menahan reman peguam hak asasi manusia itu untuk dua hari selepas ditangkap kerana mengkritik Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim).

Sivarasa berkata, Paulsen ditahan reman dua hari bagi membolehkan pihak polis mengambil cap jari, kenyataan dan menggeledah rumahnya.

Mengulas mengenai tangkapan Paulsen, Musa berkata polis mungkin mempunyai maklumat tertentu mengapa 20 anggota diperlukan bagi menangkap peguam itu.

“Polis punya maklumat tertentu. Berkemungkinan mereka bertindak sedemikian atas maklumat yang mereka ada. Saya bukan dalam pasukan lagi.

“SOP tengok keadaan. Kalau tiada ancaman serius, satu atau dua orang pun boleh,” katanya kepada The Malaysian Insider.

Sivarasa yang juga ahli Parlimen Subang hari ini menyifatkan penahanan Paulsen sebagai salah guna kuasa polis kerana tiada asas untuk menahan peguam itu di lokap.

“Jika mereka rasa perkataannya satu kesalahan, peguam negara boleh menuduhnya. penahanan ini tidak munasabah, bertentangan dengan undang-undang dan menindas Paulsen,” katanya.

Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar hari ini memberi amaran kepada pihak tertentu agar tidak mempolitikkan atau memanipulasi isu tangkapan Paulsen sehingga boleh menjejaskan keselamatan awam.

Katanya, tangkapan yang dibuat ke atas Paulsen adalah berlandaskan undang-undang demi menjaga keharmonian dan kesejahteraan masyarakat berbilang bangsa, kaum dan agama.

"Jangan lakukan sesuatu dengan niat jahat dan bersekongkol untuk membangkitkan sentimen perkauman dan keagamaan atas nama kebebasan yang boleh merosak dan menghancurkan fabrik masyarakat majmuk," katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini.

Paulsen melalui akaun Twitternya sebelum ini mengkritik Jakim kerana menyebarkan kebencian melalui khutbah Jumaat.

“Jakim sedang mempromosikan ekstremisme setiap Jumaat. Kerajaan perlu menanganinya jika serius mahu banteras ekstremisme di Malaysia," tulis Paulsen. – 13 Januari, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/mengapa-guna-20-anggota-tangkap-eric-paulsen-soal-bekas-ketua-polis#sthash.eUTulnCk.dpuf

Cops intensify monitoring certain groups

Intelligence network strengthened to ensure all movement of suspected individuals are monitored.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: The police are taking precautionary measures and strengthening national security following the militant-style attacks in France and Australia.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said although there had been no such threat in Malaysia, police were still taking measures to monitor the activities of certain groups and individuals in the country.

“We have intensified our monitoring and further strengthened our intelligence network to ensure that we are aware of every movement made by the suspected groups and individuals,” he told reporters, here today.

He disclosed this when asked to comment on measures taken by the police following the incident on Wednesday when three armed individuals wearing masks opened fire at the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris, France which left 12 people dead and another three seriously injured.

The incident was described by French President Francois Hollande as a “terrorist attack”.

In Sydney, Australia, two hostages and an Iran-born armed man were killed after Australian police raided a cafe to end the more than 16-hour seige by a suspect who held 17 people as hostages on December 15.

The police have taken measures in curbing militant activities, especially the so-called IS militant group, by detaining 51 Malaysian nationals, so far, who tried to join or help the militant group in Syria and Iraq.

– BERNAMA

FRU caused permanent injury, High Court told

 

As a result of a permanent injury - caused by the police during the first Bersih rally in 2007 - he has had to use a walking stick, a 38-year-old freelancer related to the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

Aleyasak Hamid @ Hassan, from Kajang, Selangor said that he was an innocent bystander and had merely wanted to observe the Bersih rally when the incident on Nov 10, 2007 occurred.

He added that he was at the Kampung Baru mosque for afternoon prayers, and then he asked his aunt to send him to Dataran Merdeka, as he had never watched a big rally before.

"She dropped me at Kamdar Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. From there, I walked with the crowd towards Dataran Merdeka, and there I saw people reciting the doa and selawat. The situation was orderly, controlled and peaceful," he noted.

"Suddenly, I heard shouts of ‘run, run!’ and watched the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) approaching. Initially I sat at Dataran Merdeka, then after hearing the commotion I started to run, but fell near the big flower pots by the side of the road.

"Then the FRU officers surrounded me and kicked at my ribs. They stepped on my left knee and then I heard a ‘pop’ sound - I knew then that my knee was fractured," he told the court in answering to questions from his lawyer Latheefa Koya.

Aleyasak (left) was testifying in his suit where he named the Kuala Lumpur police chief, the Dang Wangi OCPD, the inspector-general of police and the government as defendants.

The plaintiff added that he could not run from the authorities following the fracture and he pleaded to the FRU to stop assaulting him.

Aleyasak said he shielded his face with his arm to prevent further assaults by the police.

“I pleaded to them to carry me to the police truck as they asked me to move there. However, my calls went unheeded and I walked to the truck in pain while the police continue to hurl verbal abuses at me. When I arrived at the truck, a policeman kicked my fractured knee and it hit the truck,” he said.

Surgery two days later

The plaintiff said surgery was performed on his leg at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) on Nov 12, and he had to undergo follow-up treatment at HKL and also at the Kajang Plaza Medical Centre till today.

Aleyasak said he lodged a police report over the incident, a day after the rally but till today no action has been taken.

He said that as a result of the injury, he could not do his job at a pest control company as he no longer had the strength to climb high places and lift things.

“As a result of the injury, I had to do odd jobs to support my family and by selling nasi lemak, goreng pisang (banana fritters) and giving tuition. My pay is not stable and depends on my personal business,” he said, adding that he also find it difficult to find a permanent job as a result of the injury.

“I am saddened that I could not be a a good father to my child as I cannot run or do activities which require physical strength,” Aleyasak said about the extent of his injury.

He produced reciepts for his treatment at HKL and Kajang Plaza Medical Centre and also the for the purchase of his walking stick as evidence in the trial.

The hearing continues before Judicial Commissioner Azizul Azmi bin Adnan tomorrow with testimonies from the former HKL doctor who treated him and two police officers.

What did cops tell FBI about 14K triad?

 

The Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) had as early as 2008 identified three Malaysians as members of the 14K triad, a transnational organised crime entity.

They also found the 14K triad to be operating in Malaysia, with activities ranging from, illegal gambling, money laundering and drug trafficking.

These are among the contents of an internal document prepared by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), obtained by Malaysiakini.

The document was submitted as evidence in a US court case involving alleged gambling kingpin Paul Phua Wei Seng.

One of the three Malaysians named as a 14K triad member by the Malaysian police, according to the FBI's legal attaché in Kuala Lumpur in the document, is Phua, who is a top earning junket operator in Macau.

US prosecutors, who believe Phua to be a 14K triad member, had slapped him with illegal gambling charges.

Phua came into spotlight in Malaysia after Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wrote a letter dated Dec 18, 2014, to FBI deputy director Mark F Giuliano, insisting that Phua did not belong to the 14K triad.

The minister also claimed that Phua was assisting Malaysia on matters concerning national security and was "eager" for him return to Malaysia.

This is despite the statement coming in contradiction with what the Malaysian police had informed the FBI six years earlier - on June 11, 2008.

Is 14K triad operating in Malaysia?

Yesterday, veteran lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who is acting for Phua in Malaysia, said the information by Malaysian police was "wrong" and the minister's letter to the FBI was merely to correct this at his law firm's request.

Shafee (left), who is a leading lawyer for Umno, also repeatedly insisted that the 14K triad does not exist in Malaysia.

According to the FBI Internal document, the agency said the 14K triad was primarily operating out of Bangkok, Thailand but further investigations identified "several key members of that organisation operating in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia" with links to individuals in the US.

"On June 11, 2008, Legat (legal attaché) Kuala Lumpur received information from the RMP regarding the 14K triad.

"The RMP has identified the 14K triad as a local organised crime syndicate involved in illegal drugs, illegal gambling and money laundering activities in Malaysia," read the FBI document dated July 16, 2008.

According to the document, Malaysian police which identified Phua as a 14K triad member, determined that he resided in the US between November 2007 and January 2008 and also succeeded in obtaining his US contact number.

The Malaysian police then shared his phone number, as well as several more US contact numbers of other suspected Malaysian 14K triad members with the FBI's Kuala Lumpur legal attaché.

"On June 19, 2008, (FBI) Legat Kuala Lumpur passed the information regarding the above US telephone numbers to the Detroit, Las Vegas and New York FBI field offices with a request to obtain subscriber information and to conduct any other logical investigation deemed necessary," read the document.

Of the three suspected Malaysian 14K triad members identified by local police, only Phua's name was made public in the FBI document while the other two names were redacted for court submission.

The FBI said it was also informed by Malaysian police, that it strongly believes one of the three suspected 14K triad members, is the organisation's boss for Thailand.

'The boss' had M'sian passport
 
The document also cited information from the FBI's Bangkok legal attaché who said Thai authorities had identified a 14K triad member who went by the name of "the boss".

It is unclear if the individual referred to by the Malaysian and Thai authorities are the same person as the names are redacted.

However, Thai authorities said "the boss" possessed a Malaysian passport which was used to enter Thailand about eight times for several years leading up to 2008.

Malaysian police also identified the third suspected Malaysian 14K triad member to the FBI, but the name was also redacted in the document.

The police informed the FBI that the third individual had made 13 phone calls to a US number.

"The RMP suspects that [redacted] works in a travel agency making travel arrangements for 14K triad members," read the document.

The FBI's Kuala Lumpur legal attaché viewed the Malaysian police's cooperation positively, stating that it was an opportunity to develop a bilateral investigation and strengthening the working relationship with them.

"The RMP has indicated that it is open to sharing information with Legat KL in the development of the investigation of the 14K triad crime syndicate.

"Investigative resources will be expended to fully identify [redacted], (Paul Phua Wei) Seng, [redacted] and other members of the 14K triad organised crime syndicate, as well as the scope of their criminal activities in Malaysia and the United States," said the document.

Phua' lawyer, Shafee, yesterday insisted that the top poker player is not a triad member and is innocent of the charge slapped on him by the FBI.

Better police accountability needed

The New Straits Times

GEORGE TOWN: The Federal Constitution has provided for the formation of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

Malaysia Bar Council president Christopher Leong urged the Federal government to set up IPCMC for better transparency in the police force.

He said IPCMC, recommended by the commission nine years ago, was overdue for the force, whose image had been tarnished in recent years by a slew of police custodian deaths.

“There is an urgency to deal with the complaints and the negative perception of the police.

“It is high time IPCMC was in place to improve the police’s performance,” he said at a public forum entitled “Police Accountability” here, last Saturday.

According to information received from the Federal Government in Parliament on June 26 last year, Leong said, there were 231 deaths in police custody between 2000 and May 2013.

“The statistics show about one death in police custody every three weeks during that period,” he said.

Leong gave an account of multiple bodily injuries sustained by a 32-year-old police detainee who was found dead at the Kuala Lumpur contingent headquarters on May 21 last year.

He said the police must take a hard look at improving its reputation.

“The stakes are high. The police must do something to address their flaws in handling custodian deaths,” he said.

Leong said other challenges identified by the Royal Commission were alleged widespread corruption and power abuse.

Earlier, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had urged for IPCMC to be set up to help the police.

Lim, in his keynote address, said IPCMC was needed to hear out the complaints about the police.

He said IPCMC could also help to prevent the force from being misused for political reasons. 

By Phuah Ken Lin

Stop being in denial mode, cops told

The police should stop being "in denial" about negative public perception of the force's integrity, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

He  said that the process of keeping the force's integrity should start from the higher ups, who will then be emulated by the junior ranking officers.

"A fish starts rotting from its head. Because we are the head here, we must take care of that integrity," Zahid (left) said.

"We need a joint commitment. The time is over for us to be in denial about the negative perception that has taken place all this while," Zahid said at a police officers event in Cheras today.

"Do not think that the people do not know what we are doing," he added.

Zahid was launching the police rebranding of the Logistical Department to become the Department of Strategic and Technological Resources.

In his speech the home minister who is also Umno vice-president, said he wants to change the perception that crime is increasing despite in actuality it had reduced by 35 per cent.

He believed such a perception would result in the public having a biased view of the authorities.

In changing such notion, Zahid admitted that the force is faced with restrictions and limitations in its budget to modernise its equipment and assets.

He listed old patrol cars which and closed circuit cameras as some of the equipment that need replacement.

“We want modern equipment, assets which are up to date. But we must also be prepared at all times to tackle crime with the equipment that we possess.”

Zahid said the public should also be fair to the police who are doing their best despite facing limitations equipment-wise.

M’sia deports Sikh militant to India

The man alleged to be responsible for the 2009 killing of Indian politician Rulda Singh.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has deported a suspected Sikh militant wanted for the 2009 killing of an Indian politician, police said today.

Inpector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement that the man, 36, using a fake Nepalese passport, was arrested in Johor Baru on October 24 for immigration offences and deported yesterday.

He is alleged to be part of a Sikh militant group responsible for the 2009 killing of Indian politician Rulda Singh.

Rulda Singh was a former president of Sikh hardline group Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, which supports the Hindu nationalist grassroots organisation linked to country’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Khalid said Malaysian authorities cooperated with their Indian counterparts to make the arrest, bringing to six the total number of militants believed to be linked to the group held since 2009.

– AFP

Top cop looks to ordinary Malaysians to keep police in check

 

Brushing aside a proposal that an Independent Police Integrity Commission (Ipic) be set up to check abuse of power and graft among the boys in blue, top cop Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that the public are the best monitor of police misconduct.

He said the public were tech savvy and made use of their smartphones to immediately expose any abuse of power or misconduct via social media.

"I think this is the best monitoring for us. With the smartphone, they take a picture and put it on YouTube. So the people generally can monitor anything that involves the police," the inspector-general of police said in Kuala Lumpur today.

Khalid was commenting on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Consultation and Prevention Panel’s suggestion that the police look into setting up the Ipic, in an effort to reform the force and improve public perception towards it.

"I am waiting for the proposal. We have not seen it yet. We will see what are the suggestions and proposals made by the committee in setting up the Ipic before making any comments.

"But as I have said before, PDRM is not only closely monitored by the new Integrity and Standard Compliance Department but also by the MACC and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC).

"But more than that, we are also monitored by the people."

The Ipic is similar to the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), which was proposed by the 2005 Dzaiddin Police Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).

The MACC panel said it believed that the Ipic, which would be independent, would be as effective as the IPCMC in preventing police misconduct and abuse of power, including bribery.

Despite calls by the opposition to set up the IPCMC following a string of death in custody cases, the police and Putrajaya have repeatedly rejected the proposal.

They said it was unconstitutional and would result in overlapping jurisdictions.

Khalid, however, said the police have never objected to the setting up of IPCMC, but only certain terms in the clause that did not leave police any rights.

"It is as if we are second-class citizens. That we have no rights under the law with IPCMC."

It was reported that under the IPCMC, there is no clause to permit convicted officers to appeal decisions in court.

Critics of the IPCMC, including former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan, have said that the IPCMC must include an avenue for this, arguing that police should be accorded fairness and justice. – October 23, 2014.

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Cops on the lookout for 'topless' women in PD

 

The Negri Sembilan police are tracking down four women who had supposedly sunbathed topless on a beach in Port Dickson.

Sinchew Daily reported today that the police have confirmed receiving a report from the Port Dickson Municipal Council, and are investigating the incident under Section 294(a) of the Penal Code.

The law penalises “whoever, to the annoyance of others does any obscene act in any public place”, and is punishable by up to three month imprisonment, or a fine, or both.

Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD) chairperson Ab Khalid Mat said the incident is an isolated case, but MPPD viewed the matter seriously and was currently conducting an investigation, Bernama reports.

“We hope members of the public who saw incidents such as this one in any places in Port Dickson will immediately lodge a report to the authorities for further action,” he said when contacted today.

He said sunbathing topless in public places is an offence.

In the 2pm incident, the women, believed to be in their 20s and 30s, were sunbathing on a mat at the beach under the hot weather.

However a visitor, who was bathing there became aware of their behaviour and videotaped the incident, according to Bernama.

Bomb squad detonates third grenade

CID deputy chief Khairi Ahrasa said the bomb squad used a remote robotic device to detonate the grenade.

KUALA LUMPUR: A third grenade found in the Sun Complex basement under a white Toyota Camry was successfully detonated. “The hand grenade which was found to have its pin dislodged was detonated by the police bomb squad which used a remote robotic device,” said CID deputy chief Khairi Ahrasa.

Two policemen in protective armoured gear were seen combing the area at about 12.15pm.

Minutes later, a loud blast was heard when the bomb squad detonated the third grenade. Earlier today certain sections of Bukit Bintang were under heavy police surveillance after a bomb blast at a nightclub early this morning injured 14 people. A car jockey later died at the Kuala Lumpur hospital. The bomb went off at approximately 4.30am.

In Parliament today, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun raised his concern over the possible impact the blast could have on tourism as Bukit Bintang was a tourist hot spot. “We don’t want Kuala Lumpur to be like Haadyai or Bangkok where we can find explosives or hand grenades here. Police need to investigate how these weapons were brought in. I hope they can quickly solve this matter,” said Fong.

The DAP lawmaker also asked why there were no policemen stationed in the area despite having a police beat base nearby. “The Sun Complex area is a popular night spot. There are many night clubs and pubs there,” he said. “This will have an impact on our country.”

The Malaysian victims were identified as Lim Soon Hock, 51, Teoh Keow Meng, 40, Yaw Lee Hock, 41, C. Revindran, 49, and Tiong Kwang Yie (the car jockey).

The foreign nationals are Jasu (Thailand), Wong Kim Teng (Singapore), Ma Yunfeng and Yong Jiaqin (China). The other five victims have yet to be identified.

Cops acted as executioners, court rules in awarding family RM351,000

The Court of Appeal today awarded RM351,000 in damages to the next-of-kin of a car repossessor who was shot dead by police in 2008.

Judge Datuk Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, who delivered the unanimous judgment, said police could not be executioners and the court had a constitutional duty to deal with "police excesses".

"In this case, the shooting of the deceased by a police team within a space of 10 seconds is not an exercise of spontaneous act of self-defence," Hamid said in allowing the appeal by Abdul Jaafar's widow, Abra Bibi Shahul Hamid and daughter, Norasmira Abdul.

Datuk Linton Albert and Vernon Ong were the other two judges on the bench.

Hamid said the court was mindful of police sacrifices in maintaining law and order but what was reprehensible was the need to be condemned in a fake encounter as in this case.

He said Abdul's shooting was a violation of the right to life as stated under Article 5 (1) of the Federal Constitution.

"It is an unlawful shooting," he added.

The court awarded RM51,000 in dependency claim and another RM300,000 in exemplary damages.

Lawyer V. Rajadevan, who appeared for the appellants, said high exemplary damages were awarded when the court found that acts by civil servants were arbitrary, oppressive and unconstitutional.

Facts revealed that members of the Special Action Squad shot Abdul six times while he was seated in the front passenger seat of a car.

The incident occurred at 8am on September 2, 2008 near a petrol station in Section 13, Shah Alam. Abdul was 45 years old at the time of his death.

The plaintiffs filed a dependency claim in 2009 but the High Court last year dismissed the suit. – October 8, 2014

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Custodial death inquest will uncloak police SOP

The inquest into the death of C Sugumar will shed light on the standard operating procedures (SOP) of  the police, which have to date been kept under wrap with the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

This comes after coroner Azahari Abdul Hamid yesterday allowed an application for the Inspector-General of Police's standing order on arrest and use of reasonable force during arrest to be presented at the inquest.

Lawyer Eric Paulsen (right), who is acting on behalf of the Sugumar’s family, said he made the application based on recent judgments on police brutality cases.

“We had used the Kugan judgment, which states that police SOP is for the scrutiny of the court. We also used the recent Noorizan Salleh judgment that states the shooting of her was a breach of the SOP.

“This means that the SOP is under the purview of the court,” Paulsen said when contacted.

He was referring to the civil suit won by family of death-in-custody victim A Kugan and the case of Noorizan, who was awarded RM300,000 in a civil suit against the police after she was shot five times.

OSA not applicable to court

The Human Rights Watch in a report on police brutality earlier this year said the Inspector-General's Standing Order (IGSO) - a document that also governs the use of firearms - is classified as an official secret.

However, Paulsen believes that classifying the document under the OSA does not stop the courts from scrutinising it.

“Admissibility of documents (in court) is based on the Evidence Act and the rule of evidence is much more relaxed in an inquest,” he said.

According to Paulsen, the IGSO on arrests is particularly pertinent to this inquest as the deceased had died while handcuffed in the midst of an arrest.

On Wednesday, eye-witnesses testified that police personnel in full uniform and boots had stepped on Sugumar's neck for about two minutes until he stopped struggling.

The post-mortem report states that Sugumar, who had yellow powder smeared on his face, died of a heart attack.

The inquest continues on Oct 2.