Victims cry foul, lodge report against police

By Zefry Dahalan - Free Malaysia Today

SEREMBAN: It was an improbable story. Four family members were beaten up in their house by a gang of 20 thugs. Three of the victims lodged a police report, but two were promptly arrested.

Now the two victims have lodged a report against the Rembau district police for alleged abuse of power.

It all started on Aug 15 when the gang entered the house of E Nadeson at Ladang Perhentian Tinggi, Sungai Gadut.

Using helmets, wood and bottle, they assaulted Nadeson, 48, his wife, his six-month pregnant daughter and his son-in-law S Sivakumar, 25.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia Negri Sembilan secretary S Tinagaran, who spoke on the victims' behalf, said Nadeson called the police who arrived 40 minutes later after the attack.

Nadeson's wife, daughter and Sivakumar were taken in an ambulance to the Tuanku Jaafar Hospital.

Sivakumar received six stitches on his head, while his wife who sustained wounds to her abdomen is still in the hospital.

"On Aug 16, Nadeson, his wife and Sivakumar lodged a report at the Rembau district police. After an officer recorded the statement, both Nadeson and Sivakumar were arrested under the Riots Act,” Tinagaran said.

"Why did the police use the Riots Act to arrest the victims? They arrested only three of the assailants.

"On Aug 17, all five were released,” Tinagaran said at a press conference yesterday.

He said he was puzzled why Nadeson and Sivakumar were held in the first place.

"We want to know why the victims were arrested. We also want to know why the three assailants were released.”

No confidence in police

Tinagaran said the two victims want an investigating officer from the Negri Sembilan headquarters
to take over the case.

"They don't have confidence in the IO from Rembau,” he added.

Tinagaran also want the police to give protection to Nadeson and his family.

He also questioned why the Rembau police have still not given them a copy of the police report lodged by Nadeson and Sivakumar.

"I was told by Nadeson and Sivakumar that the Rembau police will only give the copy once they are represented by a lawyer," he said.

Meanwhile, Rembau PKR secretary Norazizi Abdul Aziz said the incident showed the public no longer trust the police institution.

"Where is the justice when the victims were assaulted in their own house by outsiders, and yet the police arrested the victims?

"I want an explanation from the state police chief, Inspector-General of Police and Minister of Home Affairs. We want to know what is happening in the police force,” Norazizi said.

Later, Tinagaran, Norazizi and other state PKR leaders accompanied Nadeson and Sivakumar to lodge a report at the Seremban police station, which is next to the police headquarters.