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Friday, 23 January 2009

Kugan's death classified as murder

UPDATED

By Debra Chong(The malaysian insider)

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — The controversy over the death of a suspect in police custody escalated today after Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail classified the case as murder.

The announcement in Putrajaya this afternoon by the attorney-general came even as the family of the deceased demanded a second autopsy while dozens of protesters demonstrated outside the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters here today.

Abdul Ghani’s decision will go some way to calm growing unhappiness among Indians over what is a being seen as police victimisation and discrimination against the community.

Suspected car thief A Kugan, 22, died five days after being arrested by police in Subang Jaya this week, and his family is claiming he was tortured in a case which has set off an emotional response from an Indian community which has grown suspicious of alleged police victimisation.

Kugan’s family was accompanied to Bukit Aman today by Indian politicians from both the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and the Barisan Nasional (BN), in an indication of growing disenchantment with police handling of the cases involving Indian suspects.

Kapar MP S.Manikavasagam, who is assisting the Kugan’s family, demanded the policemen responsible for Kugan’s death be charged immediately.

“When they classify as murder in other cases they charge immediately. There is no need to wait,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

He pointed out that this was the second incident so far this year of alleged police brutality.

Last week, six policemen were charged in court for causing hurt to another criminal suspect, also from the Indian community.

Photographs of Kugan’s body taken by his family who had stormed into a government mortuary after his death showed a number of bruises and cuts, and they have been widely distributed over the Internet, further inflaming the controversy.

While Kugan’s family handed over a memorandum addressed to the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan demanding a second autopsy, some 50 protesters, mostly Indian, gathered in the carpark outside Bukit Aman.

In Tamil, they chanted “we will fight, we will fight till the end,” while holding up banners showing the photographs of Kugan taken at the mortuary.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had earlier called for an independent body to be established to investigate the death.

The government will be under pressure now to ensure an independent and credible probe into what happened to ensure the controversy does not spark more friction between the Indian community and the police.

This case could also put the police under pressure to accept the need for widespread reforms.

Better coverage from motuary

Siasat kematian Kugan Ananthan - Anwar

(Hrkh) - Penasihat KeADILan Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim menggesa agar sebuah badan siasatan yang bebas dan telus diwujudkan serta merta bagi menyiasat insiden kematian Kugan Ananthan, seorang pemuda India di Balai Polis Taipan, USJ, Subang Jaya ketika masih ditahan.

Katanya kejadian ini mengingatkan kepada insiden M. Ulaganathan, juga mati ketika masih ditahan polis malah Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur ketika itu memutuskan bahawa kematian M. Ulaganathan adalah disebabkan kecuaian dan pengabaian melampau pihak polis

"Berulangnya insiden seperti ini pasti menghakis keyakinan rakyat terhadap kewibawaan pihak polis sebagai sebuah institusi keselamatan.

"Bagi memastikan keyakinan rakyat dipulihkan, saya menuntut agar sebuah badan siasatan yang bebas dan telus diwujudkan serta merta bagi menyiasat insiden kematian Kugan Ananthan," katanya dalam satu kenyatan media kepada Harakahdaily.

Katanya foto serta bukti yang menunjukkan adanya kecederaan pada si mati sudah tentu membangkitkan rasa tidak puas hati bukan sahaja kepada keluarga mangsa, malah juga kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia yang mahukan institusi polis memulihkan kembali kewibawaannya.

Selaku ahli parlimen dan Ketua Pembangkang Dewan Rakyat beliau komited untuk membawa isu tersebut ke Dewan Rakyat kelak.

"Beserta dokongan rakan-rakan ahli-ahli parlimen lainnya kami akan mencari jalan untuk meningkatkan tahap profesionalisme pihak polis serta memulihkan keyakinan rakyat terhadap institusi keselamatan tersebut.," katanya.

Selangor police deny second post-mortem for Kugan

By Neville Spykerman, The Malaysian Insider

Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said today the family of Kugan Ananthan will need to go to court to obtain authorisation for a second post-mortem of the deceased.

The family of the 22-year-old suspected car thief, who died Tuesday after five days in custody at the USJ 8 police lockup, are disputing the initial post-mortem results, which merely indicated there was water in his lungs.

Khalid denied that police had anything to hide and argued there was no provision in the law for them to order the second post-mortem.

“Even if we allow the second post mortem, what if they (family) are still not satisfied, there will be no end to the matter.”

However he said the case was a matter of public interest and gave assurances there would be no cover-up.

Investigations are being conducted by the Federal Criminal Investigation Department in Bukit Aman and statements were being obtained from 11 policemen aged between 25 and 35.

Khalid said the policemen were rank and file personnel with the ranks of constables and lance-corporals and added that none had been arrested.

He said he expected investigations to be completed by next week.

The body of the 22-year-old suspected car thief is now currently at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) mortuary.

Kapar MP S.Manikavasagam, who is assisting the Kugan’s family, said a doctor was ready to do the post-mortem but needed authorisation from police.

He said the distraught family cannot understand why police were withholding permission.

“Yes, we can apply to the courts, but how long will that take?”

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

(By Harris Ibrahim)

That’s why the family of ‘death in police custody’ A. Kugan, having already brought his remains to the burial grounds in Puchong yesterday, decided at the 11th hour not to bury him just yet.

They elected to have a second post-mortem performed to ascertain the cause of death.

I’m told that they were unhappy with the statement by the Selangor CPO yesterday that the cause of death was due to water in the lungs, particularly given that, to-date, the family has not been made privy to the post-mortem report.

Jayanath, Visu and I joined the funeral procession midway but owing to constraints of time, were unable to accompany the cortege all the way to the cemetary.

After we had left, at about 5.15pm, I got a call to say that FRU personnel had blocked the passage of the procession and were demanding that banners being carried be removed.

Those in the procession, I am told, refused to hand over the banners and refused to be impeded. The FRU relented, but accompanied the procession on foot.

At 6pm, I got a second call to say that the family had decided to defer the burial and that the body would be taken to UH for a second post-mortem.

At 3pm today, a memorandum is due to be submitted to the IGP at Bukit Aman to call for a full-scale investigation into the latest ‘death in police custody’ case and the numerous others, as well as to protest the statement by the Selangor CPO insinuating that the very visible bodily injuries suffered by the deceased may have been inflicted after his death and by those who lay siege of the Serdang Hospital mortuary for some three hours where his body was being kept whilst awaiting the first post-mortem. The mother of the deceased and a few others are expected to make speeches. Attend if you can to lend support to the family of the deceased.

Photos of the funeral procession yesterday

many-colours-115

The late A Kugan

The late A Kugan

The hearse that bore Kugan's remains yesterday

The hearse that bore Kugan's remains yesterday

The leading car that went before the hearse and which bore banners that must have irked the men in blue

The leading car that went before the hearse and which bore banners that must have irked the men in blue

lead-car1

lead-car2

lead-car4

lead-car3

The ensuing jam on the highway arising from the 10km procession from the home of the bereaved family to the burial grounds

The ensuing jam on the highway arising from the 10km procession from the home of the bereaved family to the burial grounds

The frontliners in the procession

The frontliners in the procession

Mohan, who is driving, is the younger brother of the deceased. On his left is the grieving mother of the late Kugan

Mohan, who is driving, is the younger brother of the deceased. On his left is the grieving mother of the late Kugan

Posted by Haris Ibrahim
Filed in People Power

Malaysian woman charged in Melbourne with smuggling drug in bra

MELBOURNE, Jan 23 — Australia has charged a Malaysian woman with attempting to smuggle heroin into Melbourne by hiding the drug in her bra.

Customs Department officials say they suspected the woman may have been carrying drugs when she arrived yesterday at Melbourne International Airport on a flight from Bangkok.

A female officer conducted a frisk search and found “inconsistencies” around her bra, which turned out to be a package of white powder, customs officials said in a statement today.

The statement said the package contained approximately 400 grams of heroin.

The 20-year-old woman will appear in court in April. She faces a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment and/or fine of A$550,000 Australian dollars (RM1.25 million). — AP

AG, "Kugan's family has the right to get second post-mortem"

By Neville Spykerman(themalaysianinsider)

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23- Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said the family of Kugan Ananthan could get a second post mortem, if they wished.

He said the body has already been surrendered to the family and it's their right to get a second post-mortem done.

"Why should we object?" he said, when told that Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had refused to authorise a second post-mortem and had told the family to get court order, it they wanted one.

Abdul Gani said he had also reclassified the case from voluntarily causing hurt to extort a confession, to murder, based on the evidence which had been presented to him.

He stressed the reclassification was done to facilitate investigations only, at this

point, and added that he wanted to avoid a trial by media.

"I have ordered a thorough investigation and we want to act fairly for all parties, including the family."

He urged the public and media not to jump to conclusions, but to allow justice to take its course.

Kematian A Kugan diklasifikasi kes bunuh

Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail hari ini mengklasifikasikan kes kematian Kugan Ananthan dalam tahanan polis, sebagai kes bunuh.

Difahamkan siasatan sedang dijalankan.

Awal hari ini, Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Musa Hassan berkata satu siasatan penuh akan dijalankan terhadap kematian Kugan.

kugan ananthan 230109Menurutnya, siasatan terperinci akan dijalankan walaupun laporan bedah siasat mendapat Kugan mati kerana terdapat cecair dalam paru-parunya.

Bercakap kepada pemberita di Kuching, Musa berkata pihak polis tidak akan melindungi sesiapa yang terlibat dalam kes kematian Kugan.

Kugan ditahan di Kajang pada 15 Januari lalu berhubung kes kecurian kereta. Lima hari kemudiannya, dia meninggal dunia ketika disoal siasat di Balai Polis Taipan, Subang Jaya.

kugan funeral 230109 family cryingKematiannya telah mencetuskan bantahan awam menyebabkan keluarganya menangguhkan pengkebumiannya untuk melakukan bedah siasat kedua.

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 adalah akibat paru-paru berair.

Mayatnya kini berada di Pusat Perubatan University Malaya. Difahamkan polis enggan membenarkan keluarganya melakukan bedah siasat kedua.

Laporan polis

Peguam keluarganya, Gobind Singh memberitahu Malaysiakini bahawa beliau akan memohon perintah mahkamah Rabu depan untuk memaksa pihak berkuasa melakukan bedah siasat.

kugan death protest 210109 mother (in red)Keluarga juga telah menghantar memorandum kepada ketua polis negara di ibupejabat polis Bukit Aman hari ihi, menggesa supaya tindakan diambil terhadap anggota polis yang bertanggungjawab terhadap kematian Kugan.

Pada masa yang sama, satu laporan polis telah dibuat terhadap keluarga Kugan kerana menyerbu masuk ke bilik mayat Hospital Serdang malam Selasa lalu untuk melihat mayat Kugan.

Dalam reaksinya, Musa berkata anggota keluarga Kugan tidak sepatutnya pergi ke bilik mayat untuk melihat mayatnya kerana ia boleh dianggap sebagai mengganggu bahan bukti.

kugan detainee death morgue scene 220109Katanya, ia tidak seharusnya berlaku kerana pihak polis akan menjalan siasatan kerana terdapat satu laporan telah dibuat mengenainya.

Semalam, polis berkata, pihaknya akan mengambil kenyataan dari dua timbalan menteri yang turut hadir ketika anggota keluarga Kugan menyerbu masuk ke bilik mayat.

Mungkin didakwa minggu depan

t murugiahSementara itu, Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri T Murugiah mengesahkan bahawa kematian Kugan dalam tahanan polis dikategorikan sebagai kes bunuh.

Menurutnya, peguam negara telah menghubunginya pagi ini bagi memberitahu tentang perkara itu, untuk dimaklumkan kepada anggota keluarga mangsa serta orang awam.

"Beliau (Abdul Gani) telah mengarahkan pihak polis untuk membuat siasatan rapi dan sekiranya proses siasatan berjalan lancar, kemungkinan besar orang
yang terlibat akan didakwa di mahkamah minggu depan," katanya kepada pemberita di Putrajaya, lapor Bernama.

Murugiah meminta agar ahli keluarga mangsa supaya memberi kerjasama penuh dalam siasatan yang akan dijalankan.

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 adalah akibat paru-paru berair.

Murugiah berkata beliau turut menerima aduan daripada anggota keluarga Kugan, yang antara lain tidak berpuas hati dengan laporan bahawa mereka membuat kecoh di rumah mayat Hospital Serdang, sedangkan mereka cuma merayu untuk melihat mayat Kuhan setelah lapan jam menunggu.

Katanya, mereka juga mendakwa pihak polis gagal memaklumkan kepada ibu bapa atau ahli keluarga terdekat Kuhan dalam masa 24 jam setelah dia ditahan.

"Aduan ini akan saya majukan kepada Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Bernard Dompok supaya dapat diangkat dalam mesyuarat kabinet akan datang untuk dibincangkan," katanya.

KK Eswaran: ...they've gone too far

Part 1


Part 2

In latest death, gap between police and Indians widens

By Baradan Kuppusamy

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — The latest death in police custody of a suspect from the Indian community, which comes just after another case last week where six policemen were charged with causing grievous hurt using boiling water on another suspect, also an Indian, is indicative of a deep credibility chasm between the police and the Tamil working class.

The death of 22-year-old Kugan Ananthan, a suspected car thief, on Jan 17 has kicked up a huge storm not only here but also abroad among the Indian diaspora, putting the spotlight once again on the beleaguered police force.

Their hands are full, fighting rising violent crime, fending off daily opposition attacks of corruption and inefficiency and now another death in custody, which had abated in recent years, but is back again to spark emotions and anger in the Indian community.

Although a minority, the Tamil poor are blamed, rightly or wrongly, for much of the violent crimes in the country.

It is not surprising that study after study has shown a direct correlation between crime, poverty, marginalisation and alienation.

Considering the socio-economic conditions of the Tamil working class, with so many living precariously on the edges of mainstream society, it is no surprise if Indian involvement in crime is higher compared to other communities.

Police statistics year after year show a gradual increase in Indian youths being involved in gang activity, violent crimes and other criminal activities.

Consequently the percentage of Indians in prison and police lock-ups is higher compared to their population size of 8 per cent.

In some depressed regions of the country like Padang Serai in Kedah, Klang and Kapar in Selangor and Muar in Johor, where Indians predominate, the situation resembles a war zone with higher violence and disrespect for the law on all sides.

Rape, murder, gang fights and contract killings are commonplace and people live with it. Victims are brutalised by the gang violence and police action replicates the brutality with the innocent also being caught in the dragnet, resulting in a self-feeding cycle of violence.

Ultimately the death of Kugan is symptomatic of the spiral of violence that has gripped some sections of society, especially among the Tamil sub-class.

The fact that Kugan's family and others stormed the Serdang Hospital mortuary to inspect his body and take photographs also indicates the deep credibility disconnect between them and not just the police but also other government agencies.

Over the years poorer Indians have acquired and suffered the stigma that they are associated with crime. Many feel they are unfairly blamed for every theft or robbery in their neighbourhood, not just by society but also by police and law enforcement agencies.

Stereotyping comes easily and is common among enforcement agencies.

That is why people like Hindraf lawyer Uthayakumar Ponnusamy and Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, who have cast themselves as "defenders of the defenceless", enjoy wide respect among the Indian poor and are regarded as heroes.

Unfortunately by storming the mortuary, moving and photographing the body, they may have tampered with crucial evidence and compromised their own demands for justice.

Credibility is a core issue in the growing angst between the police and the Tamil masses and has been for a long time, as far back as the 1996 incident where police shot dead a pregnant woman and others who were suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of a VIP's son.

Photographs of the dead infant lying on the dead mother's stomach was exploited by the opposition during the 1999 general election but the impact on the Indian consciousness then was limited.

But today with a huge Hindraf network reaching into the far-flung Indian diaspora, the photographs taken on Wednesday are already gracing huge banners that protestors paraded yesterday.

Today, on the steps of the Indian Supreme Court in New Delhi and with prominent Indian human rights lawyers applauding, Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy showed the same graphic photographs of the bruises on Kugan's body as he railed against the police and accused them of murdering Kugan.

Another landmark incident in the police-Tamil masses fault-line is the Francis Udayappan case in 2006 and the inquest that followed which ruled he died by drowning in the river behind the Brickfields police station.

The case became rallying cry among the Tamil poor and heightened their feeling of alienation and anger.

The level of distrust is deep and that is why the crowd stormed the mortuary on Wednesday to see the body of Kugan for themselves and do what they did — cry, hug, take photographs and make accusations.

With emotions running high, the fact that the police have acknowledged the bruises on the body, and were probing why and who was responsible, is easily ignored .

Last week the authorities surprisingly took swift action to charge six policemen for causing grievous hurt in the "boiling water" case, in an indication that they wanted to close the credibility gap but this week they lost that initiative.

Already, graphic photographs that the mob took are circulating on the Internet, and being delivered to the mail boxes of hundreds of thousands of people.

Together it all makes for yet another explosive political disaster for the BN government, the latest in a long list that had alienated the Tamil working class and has given rise to quick-fix, severely jaundiced heroes like Uthayakumar.

It is notable that the MIC has also joined with opposition MPs and angry family members to demonstrate outside the Selayang Hospital mortuary on Wednesday and demand justice.

Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu himself visited Kugan's home, consoled his family and viewed the body.

He also send MIC Youth leader T. Mohan and Deputy Minister Datuk S.K. Devamany to the mortuary to help the family and console them, winning instant kudos from the family and the Hindraf protestors.

Another deputy minister, Senator T. Murugiah from the PPP, was also there to help, to co-ordinate and to console. The two deputy ministers now face questioning by police.

Both defend their right, as elected representative and leaders of the Indian community, to be at the mortuary.

Their case is being investigated under section 451 of the Penal Code for trespassing and section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.

But politically their presence — from midnight to the early morning hours — is an image re-building masterstroke that has elevated their political party's battered image with the Tamil media giving great play to their "help" and presence to console the families.

"This is the way it should be," said a Kugan family member who had called both leaders on their mobile phones. "I asked them to come and both came."

For the MIC it is part of rebranding to go out there and hold the banners and shout the slogans to "defend" the community. It had learnt a bitter lesson after losing badly at the ballot box on March 8 for keeping quiet and, worst, defending the indefensible.

"We must set up a committee to monitor the welfare of all Indians currently in custody and also those in future to avoid this sort of abuse and murder," said Vel Paari, MIC Youth adviser in an e-mail message to The Malaysian Insider and to numerous other Indian Yahoo groups, here and abroad.

"Truly a sad day for not only his parents but also our community," he said, referring to Kugan's death.

Credibility is again a key issue and therefore there is an urgent need for a truly independent investigation into Kugan's death.

That's something most people, including the 2006 Royal Commission on the Police Force, believe the police themselves cannot do.

That is why the commission strongly recommended an oversight commission to investigate abuse, curb violations and return credibility and respectability to the police force and all other uniformed and enforcement agencies.

Such an independent commission is long overdue and even if a tough one is set up, as promised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi before he retires, it would still take years of intelligent and careful management to narrow the wide disconnect between the police rank and file and the Tamil masses.

Family defers burial..

Catching up with Mike

LIVE: ‘ISA Vigil 23′ now in court

(Anil Netto)

1106: The accused are being charged for illegal gathering and defying orders to disperse under Section 27(4), which provides for a fine ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000 fine and a jail term of not more than a year.

1101: Among the crowd at the court are five priests, who can be identified by their vestments.

1045: Gobind is asking why his clients are being charged so close to Chinese New Year. He is asking for bail to be set at RM500 instead of RM5,000 and for their passports not to be impounded. Another lawyer, Lim Lip Eng, is now arguing for his clients.

1040: Inside the court room, Gobind Singh is now arguing the case. It’s a full house inside.

1028: Bar Council president Ambiga, who popped out of the courtroom, mentioned to a few outside she was surprised the 23 people were being charged.

There seems to be a bit of confusion in court over the proceedings, bail, etc due to the sheer number of people involved.

0928: About 150 to 180 people are now in the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court, where 23 people are expected to be charged in connection with their participation in an Abolish ISA vigil/Bersih anniversary commemoration on 9 November 2008. The court session has just started and many are unable to squeeze into the court room, according to Rakyat@work reporting from the scene.

Bohong: Dr Khir ' tunjuk bukti ' dan desak Khalid kosongkan jawatan MB...



Jika semalam, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim menafikan dana anak syarikat kerajaan negeri digunakan membayar 46 ekor lembu korban yang dihantar ke parlimen Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur tetapi Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, Khamis menunjukkan salinan surat mengarahkan Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) berbuat demikian.Surat Pejabat Menteri Besar bertarikh 27 November lalu itu ditujukan kepada Pengurus Besar PKNS dengan lampiran senarai 46 surau dan masjid di Bandar Tun Razak untuk program korban yang disahkan dengan tandatangan Khalid, sebagai ahli parlimen kawasan itu bertarikh 22 November.Di bahagian bawah surat pejabat itu, ada catatan tangan mengarahkan SIC (Selangor Industrial Corporation Sdn Bhd- anak syarikat milik penuh PKNS) supaya membuat pembayaran dan bertarikh 28 November.Bagi Dr Mohamad Khir, tiada ungkapan lebih wajar ditujukan kepada Menteri Besar itu selain menyifatkan Khalid seorang pembohong, penipu serta seorang yang sentiasa berdolak dalih.

"Kita kesal dengan kenyataan akhbar yang dibuat oleh Khalidyang mengatakan bahawa beliau tidak tahu menahu bahawa lembu dihantar ke kawasan itu (Bandar Tun Razak), dan tidak ada arahan berhubung pembayaran RM110,400 itu,” tegas beliau.

Menurut mantan Menteri Besar Selangor itu, beliau ada bukti dokumen menyatakan ada arahan supaya SIC membuat pembayaran tersebut.

Bercakap pada sidang media di Pejabat UMNO Selangor di Shah Alam, pagi Khamis, Dr Mohamad Khir berkata, beliau juga mempunyai salinan invois dan resit pembayaran bagi pembelian lembu-lembu korban bertarikh 16 Disember tahun lalu.

Beliau berkata, perbuatan dan kenyataan Khalid sebagai selain penipuan dan pembohongan juga bertentangan dengan janji pakatan rakyat akan memastikan ketelusan dalam kerajaan di bawah pentadbirannya.

"Saya tak nampak ini ketelusan, ini ketipuan (penipuan)," katanya.

Jelas beliau, Sultan Selangor sebelum ini pernah bertitah mengarahkan supa

Death can't be due to 'liquid in lungs'(Malaysiakini)

vox populi big thumbnail‘I am certainly very surprised that 'liquid in the lungs' can be listed as the cause of death of a police detainee. Any self- respecting doctor will not put up with such rubbish.'
On Cops to quiz deputy ministers over morgue barging

Worried Malaysian: ‘Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said today that the post-mortem results showed that Kugan Ananthan died because of 'liquid in his lungs'.'

I am certainly very surprised that 'liquid in the lungs' can be listed as a cause of death. Any self- respecting doctor will not put up with such rubbish.

The 'liquid in the lungs' is a probably a finding. When a person drowns, there is 'liquid in the lungs' but the doctor will not put that as a cause of death.

If the doctor finds 'liquid in the lungs' in this case, he has to probe further to find the cause of the 'liquid in the lungs'.

As the youth was not found in the sea or river, drowning can be ruled out. Was water forced into his lungs? What about the bruises and lacerations found all over his body? Did the doctor comment on those injuries?

The Selangor police chief's statement actually raises more questions on the cause of death.

Milton Yap: It looks like there is something is so terribly wrong that the police are trying desperately to cover-up. Like they say, it must be that they must have something on their hands and it is stinking.

Why are they so afraid of the family of the deceased gaining access to his body? After all, it is only a corpse and a corpse cannot talk.

Why would the police not volunteer to have an independent party perform the autopsy?

If they have done nothing wrong, what is there to hide? If the police were not responsible for his demise, there is nothing to fear.

The police are supposed to protect the people. But who is to protect the people from the police?

We need a very good explanation from our IGP. I wonder what our PM and our home minister have to say about this.

Are were turning into a police state?

Rajakumar Thiyagarajan: Even if the victim had committed a crime certainly it does not merit his death.

It is not as if he had committed murder or dealt with drugs. If he had been sentenced by a court it would have been only jail term and a fine but to lose his life like this?

Our PDRM is now the judge, jury and and executioner. Until when are we going to tolerate this?

And to the government - stop preaching to the world about the atrocities in Palestine. Watch your own back yard first for we have an ‘Abu Ghraib’ here.

Group storms hospital mortuary

SUBANG JAYA: A group of about 50 people stormed the Serdang Hospital mortuary on Tuesday night and locked themselves inside for three hours with the body of a youth who had died earlier in police custody.
The body of A. Kugan, 22, an odd-job worker, was the subject of police investigation as his family had alleged he was a victim of police brutality.

Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar
Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar
The group had allegedly pushed out a medical assistant and his two staff before conducting their own checks on the body. They left the mortuary about 2.30am.

When the hospital staff went inside, they found that the clothes had been torn off the body. The medical assistant immediately lodged a police report.

Kugan had been detained at the Subang Taipan police station since Jan 14.
He collapsed on Tuesday while being interrogated. His body was sent to the hospital for a post-mortem.

Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar questioned the motive of the group, saying it was tantamount to tampering with evidence.

"The investigating officer was not present nor was the doctor. What were they doing with the body?"

Hours after the group left the mortuary, photographs allegedly showing bruises on Kugan's body were circulated on the Internet and among reporters.

"Do they want to see justice done or just hamper police investigations? Let us conduct the investigations first. Do not take the law into your own hands," Khalid said, promising a fair and thorough probe.

Kugan's family and several political parties lodged police reports yesterday urging the authorities to investigate the circumstances leading to his death.

Kugan's father, R. Ananthan, demanded that those responsible for his son's death be brought to justice, adding that there were bruises on Kugan's neck, back, hands, legs and wrists.

Some 200 people, including representatives of MIC and Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat, (PKR), accompanied Ananthan to the police station here yesterday, carrying placards and photographs of Kugan.

Kugan was arrested after a car chase in Sungai Chua, Kajang.

He was caught after a brief struggle while his accomplice escaped on foot when their car was cornered.

Kugan was being investigated for a series of robberies and theft of luxury cars.

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Waythamoorthy To Deliver Lecture At The New Delhi Supreme Court Premises

Mr.P Waythamoorthy will be delivering a lecture at the New Delhi Supreme Court premises shortly. This lecture is organized by the Federation of Human Rights Organization of India.

The gross Human Rights violations in Malaysia must be broadcast loud and clear around the world, so that this UMNO government will not carry on with its abuses against the Indian community so blatantly and with such impunity. What the latest murder of the 22 year old Kugan on the 20th of Jan 2009, at the hands of the Malaysian Police in Subang Jaya, indicates is that anyone can be taken in by the Police as a suspect, torured and eventually killed. If you took out Kugan's name and put yours or mine in its place, do you think the outcome could have been different.

Who is going to hold the police accountable for this continuing violence against the Indians in this country. Are the Police above the law that they can trample upon our Fundamental Human Rights with no one to hold them to account. This atrocity must stop. The fact that the UMNO government is not doing anything about this at all only indicates complicity. After all the Police are just an instrument of control of the UMNO government.

United we must stand and united we must act to get rid of this UMNO government. Only then will the minority groups in this country get any modicum of justice.

Yes, Mr.Waythamoorthy tell all the world and shame this UMNO government

Dead man's family lodges report

Kuhan's family wants second autopsy, says Kapar MP

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 — The family of a detainee who died in the USJ 8 police station lock-up in Subang Jaya two days ago cancelled the man’s funeral today and wanted another autopsy to be performed.

Kapar Member of Parliament S Manikavasagam told Bernama that he and the lawyer representing A Kuhan’s family had gone to the police station to get permission for the second autopsy but failed to get it.

“As at 10.30pm, the police have disallowed or refused to issue the permission form to have the second autopsy performed.

“We will try to get it tomorrow through the district police chief or Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to ensure the permission is given,” he said.

Kuhan, 22, was detained on Jan 15 on suspicion of being involved in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang, and was brought to the USJ 8 police station three days ago where he collapsed and died. — Bernama

Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had said the post-mortem report showed Kuhan died of lung infection but police would investigate the cause of death as there were allegations that he died of physical abuse.

He also said that the police regretted that the family and members of the public had barged into the Serdang Hospital morgue where the body was kept yesterday and would record a statement from a deputy minister who was present then.

Kuhan's funeral was supposed to take place at 6pm at Batu 14, Puchong where about 1,000 people had gathered but the body was sent to Universiti Malaya Medical Centre at about 7pm for the second autopsy.

It is understood that UMMC refused to perform the autopsy without a police permission but had agreed to keep the body for the time being. — Bernama

Ubaidulla, a highly respected leader, dies

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 — Former veteran politician and prominent businessman Tan Sri S.O.K Ubaidulla Kadir Basha who died here today was known for his humility and philanthropist work and a long history in politics.

Ubaidulla, 90, who died at about 10.30 am due to old age at his home No 10, Lorong Bukit Pantai 6, here left behind wife Puan Sri Mehrunnisa Mohideen and two sons, businessmen Hishamudin and Hamimudin.

His remains were laid to rest at Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery after Asar prayers today.

Born on June 18, 1918 in Chennai, India, Ubaidulla came to the then Malaya in the 1930’s and worked in a firm in Seremban before setting up his own business in 1940’s starting off in the retail trade, such as selling suitcases and household products before venturing into shipping and a travel agency, which remained his core businesses from the 1970’s.

One of the founding members of MIC in 1946, he had been an MIC loyalist until his death and as a party veteran, he had held several senior positions in the party.

In 1975, Ubaidulla was elected MIC vice-president and in 1981 he was reappointed to the Central Working Committee and in 1994, he was appointed MIC permanent chairman.

In 1959, he was appointed as a senator and in 1971, as the deputy president of the Senate and reappointed to the post in 1975 for a six year term.

Ubaidulla was the first president of the Malaysia Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, a post he served between 1950-1951 and then 1957-1985.

He was also a founder director of the then Bank Bumiputra and was elected the president of the Malayan Employers Consultative Association (now known as Malaysian Employer’s Federation (MEF)) a post he held for about 20 years.

In the religious field, Ubaidulla’s contribution was very significant. He was the founder president of Perkim and Muslimin-Indo Malaysia (Permim) and had also served as the chairman of All-Malaya Muslim Missionary Society.

He was also active in promoting Tamil literature and Islamic religious activities and received the Maal Hijrah Award in 1989. — Bernama

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

MALAYSIAN OFFICIALS AND LEADERS MUST LEARN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Malaysians take for granted that they can continue to make mistakes and NOT take responsibility of their or their subordinates actions. The time has come that these officials and leaders to wake up and face reality that they need to take full responsibility and gracefully resign or get sacked. This new trend must be embodied in the Malaysian administrative system if we want to see a CHANGE, which is now much talked about.

Today's headlines had portrayed that the police had tortured a 22 year old Indian detainee under their care and it was reported that he died under police interrogation. The body of the victim were seen to have severe torture marks.

If it is under police custody then the Home Minister, Inspector-General of Police, the State Police Chief and the OCPD and his responsible men will need to RESIGN immediately and be charged in court for having caused these injuries. Then, Malaysians can proudly say we have CHANGED.

But as usual, the police will cover-up the story by fabricating a story that they are not responsible and will use every given opportunity to show the 'false' innocence.

But whatever the circumstances, its time we, Malaysians demand the resignation of every official, Home Minister, IGP, CPO, OCPD and those officers involved be SACKED if they voluntarily do not resign to uphold the integrity of the position they hold.

Can we expect this to happen similarly like in Japan, Taiwan and so forth where officials resign to take full responsibility for any wrongdoings of their subordinates.

Deputy ministers to be summoned for questioning

PETALING JAYA (Jan 22, 2009) : Police will call up two deputy ministers who were present at the Serdang Hospital mortuary during an incident where about 50 family members and friends of 22-year-old lock up detainee A.Kugan who died in police custody allegedly forced their way into the place to view his body late on Monday.

Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said a police report was lodged with Sepang police by an official at the mortuary who alleged that several dozen people who turned up at the morgue had barged in and wheeled out Kugan's body of of the cold room.

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The hospital official also alleged that the people had handled the body and took photos of it.

Khalid said police have classified and are probing the case as trespass with criminal intent and also for criminal intimidation.

He said it was wrong for anyone except for hospital officials to handle the body as a post mortem had yet to be conducted and there is an ongoing probe into the death of the man.

He said the hospital official had called the police and a police officer at the scene permitted only a family member to identify the body at the time of the incident but this was defied and the crowd rushed in.

Although he did not name the two deputy ministers, it is understood that they are Datuk S.K.Devamany and T.Murugiah, both who are with the Prime Minister's Department and were present at the hospital during the incident.

Khalid said a post mortem carried out out on the body of lock detainee A.Kugan showed that he had died of excessive fluid in his lungs.

He said the report also stated that the injuries found on the deceased's body was not the result of his death.

"However, I assure the family of Kugan that we will not spare anyone responsible for the injuries caused on him. We are probing and when we identify those involved and have gathered enough evidence, I will make sure justice is served."

"I give you my word that there will be no cover up as I do not cordone to such abuse of powers if that was the case.I urge the family members to be calm and not take the law into their own hands." he said.

At about 2.30pm, Kugan's funeral took place at his house at Puchong Kinrara. Among the 200 people who attended it was MIC President Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.

Kugan was arrested on Jan 15 for suspected car theft and remanded till Wednesday. However,on Tuesday during interogation by police, he collapsed and died.

Police had said that they made a recovery of 15 stolen cars at a warehouse in Puchong following his arrest.

His family, Kapar MP S.Manikavasagam and Keadilan's Selangor Youth leader Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin have each lodged a police report alleging foulplay in Kugan's death and urged a thorough probe be conducted.

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Deputy ministers say they are prepared to give statements to police
Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Thu.: Police will investigate the cause of death of a suspect in a Subang Jaya police lock-up as there are allegations that he died of physical abuse, Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said today.

He said a post-mortem report showed that A. Kugan, 22, died of lung infection but there had been claims of injury marks on his body.

“I hope the family and the public will be patient as there will be no cover-up in the investigation,” he told reporters after the launch of a road safety campaign at the Kajang-Seremban Highway (Lekas) here.

“We regret that the family and members of the public barged into the Serdang Hospital mortuary where the body was kept, yesterday. We will record a statement from a deputy minister, who was present then,” he said.

Kugan, who was detained on Jan 15 on suspicion of being involved in the theft of luxury cars in stioned.
He had reportedly asked for water and vomited after drinking it and then collapsed.

The policemen present immediately summoned a doctor from a nearby clinic to examine Kugan, who was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, two deputy ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk S.K. Devamany and Senator T. Murugiah, said today they were prepared to have their statements recorded by the police.

Both Devamany and Murugiah were at the Serdang Hospital yesterday when some people created a commotion at the mortuary where Kugan’s body was kept.

Devamany, who is also MIC treasurer-general, told Bernama the Sepang police had contacted him over the statement.

“I got a call from someone who told me about this case and hoped for my presence at the hospital where the post-mortem was conducted. It was not only to seek the truth for the family of the man but also to calm down the situation and ensure that it was under control,” he said.

Murugiah said he went to the hospital after receiving a few calls from the media about a commotion there, and that he and Devamany managed to calm the situation.

“My duty as per the Public Complaints Bureau is to check on complaints from the public. Is it an offence to address public complaints?” he said.

Murugiah also said that he had briefed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok on the suspect’s death and that the minister had agreed to raise the matter with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

They say he died due to ‘liquid in his lungs’

Kugan Ananthan, 22, from Puchong was arrested on 15 Jan in connection with car theft cases. He collapsed and died on 20 January at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya.

A Serdang Hospital post-mortem revealed he died due to ‘liquid in his lungs’. The family are now seeking an independent post-mortem.

Klang MP Charles Santiago was reported as saying that statistics revealed in Parliament last year showed that there were 1,535 custodial deaths in the country between 2003 and 2007.

And the government has still not yet set up an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission, a key recommendation of the Royal Commission.

Animal which has no hatred like UMNO