FMT Interview with Waytha [Part 3]

Death in custody,only in Malaysia

Tame these Islamic Propagators at any cost. No Muslim Reservation will be allowed in India.

UP Cabinet minister Azam Khan (Deptt. of Minority Welfare), UP CM Akhilesh Yadav and Union Minority Affairs Minister K Rehman Khan, in Lucknow on Tuesday. Photo: Vishal Srivastav.

While bloody swines are taking, red hot iron rods are needed to prick their tongues – Jebril.
Bring Muslim quota Bill, will back it: Akhilesh to UPA

Express news service : |Lucknow | Wed 29 May 2013:: Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday asked Union Minister for Minority Affairs K Rehman Khan to bring in a constitutional amendment Bill for providing reservation to Muslims.

“Providing reservation to Muslims without amendment to the Constitution is not possible. We are ready to support it whenever you bring such a Bill,” Akhilesh stated at a joint press conference with the Union minister at his official residence.

In its manifesto of Assembly elections, the SP had promised reservation to Muslims in proportion to their population. The issue cropped up when Khan was highlighting the achievements of his ministry. He mentioned that the Sachar Committee made 72 recommendations for the uplift of Muslims. “From these, the Union government did not accept three and could not implement three others. But we have implemented the remaining 66 recommendations,” he said.

At this, state Minister of Minority Welfare Azam Khan slammed the Congress for doing lip service towards Muslims for the past six decades. “Reservation to Muslims is the soul of the Sachar Committee recommendations. We understand that you do not have a majority, but at least bring the Bill,” he said.

Khan responded: “You tell me any recommendations of Sachar Committee which has been left out and it will be implemented within 24 hours.”

Khan added he was happy that the issue of Muslim reservation has been raised. “It is our right. But unfortunately Muslims are being referred to as a religious group instead of a social one. We need to rectify that,” he stated.

He claimed it was due to his efforts that Karanataka had a provision of 4 per cent reservation for Muslims for the past 20 years. “It was in the manifesto of the Congress in the 2009 elections, but it has been delayed due to legal issues. You favour it and we also favour it. We are waiting for the court’s judgment,” he added. [Courtesy: Indian Express.)

Hindu Existence Post Script by Upananda Brahmachari: 1. In such a secular country like India, why these initiative for Muslim reservation?

2. India was divided upon ‘Two Nation Theory’.  Muslims got Pakistan exclusively. Then why India is not a land of Hindus? Why Hindusthan is not a exclusive land for the Hindus?

3.  Hindus in Pakistan are almost finished. (Hindus reduced from 16% to less than 2%). The eastern part of Pakistan, i.e. Bangladesh is now under a fanatic Islamization and Hindus have been reduced to 8% from a high of 27%. On the other hand, Muslim population  in India has been boomed from a leas than 4 crores in 1947  to a high of 20 crores in 2013 (including illegal infiltrator Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan etc.). Compilation of reports from Govt. census and other reports show that there are 19,48,41,141 Muslims in India in 2011. Muslims in India are well protected and they are flourishing in every fields. All the prime posts are/were adorned by Muslims. As per Govt. statistics, no Muslim has been died in starvation so far, but all the people died under starvation are Hindus, tribes or non-Muslims. Muslims are well protected under laws of the land, then why a hue and cry for such a Muslim reservation?

4. The role of Muslims in Indian Freedom Movements is always questionable. As the morphine of ‘Divide and Rule Policy’ was injected in the minds of Muslims, they have always betrayed with the Hindus and Struggle of Freedom Movement. The  Muslim settlers in India after 1947, have not changed their mind-set. They are always trying to change the Hindu Majority and Multi-Cultural Identity of India in various modes including establishment of Shariah and Shariah Courts in India, challenging Indian Constitution, slaughtering cows, grabbing Hindu lands, properties and women, opposing Govt.’s Family Planning and Pulse Polio Programmes and even denouncing National Song of India.  When Muslims in India have been contradicting the Nationality of India and its Holy Constitution and National Song, then why this dangerous move to give reservation to the Muslims time and again? 

5. There are so many ethnic and religious groups in India. Then why these crazy creatures viz. Mamata Banerjee (CM West Bengal), Akhilesh Yadav (CM Uttar Pradesh) only bark for the Muslims in the name of Minority Welfare?  These venomous Islamic supporters  in the helm of Talibanic Political Affairs are trying to bite the Indian Constitution and population for their fatal finish. It is no sin to send some sinners for a silent sleep to save the sanctity and sovereignty of Hindus in Bharat. Muslim Reservation in Bharat (India) means the violation of Hindu Rights in India. And Hindus have the rights to stop Muslim Reservation in India at any cost. 

Italy: Muslim Attacks Sex Shop Then Shouts About the Glory of Islam

He had had enough of the "decadence of western morals". So the "young North African" put an enormous paving stone into his rucksack. In mid-afternoon, he went to throw it through the window of the sex shop "Sex appeal" in Bolzano, in Trentino-Alto Adige. He then remained, calmly awaiting the arrival of the police "while shouting about the glory of Islam". Between shouts, he puffed on his cigarette.

The manager, Giovanni Lo Iacono, is still terrified of it: "It was 5.30 pm on Friday afternoon, I was chilling inside the ship when I heard a terrible crash and I saw the shop window explode. At first I though a car had smashed into it. If the rock had fallen on my head, it would have killed me."

"Outside," he said, "the street was full of people. The shop window might also have fallen on someone. It's very heavy, made with anti-burglary double glazing. We needed a crane to install it."

Waytha wants police quartet suspended

Soon to be deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waythamoorthy has lambasted the seemingly tame action taken against the police personnel being investigated over N Dharmendran’s death-in-custody case, saying such steps can only serve to undermine public faith in the force.

Pointing out that murder is a non-bailable offence, Waythamoorthy (left) said the four policemen should have been suspended and held in remand until investigations were completed, instead of merely being assigned to desk duties.

He said this in a statement issued today in his capacity as Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (Hindraf) chairperson.

“The law is equal for police personnel as well as for the general public. Therefore any lesser action will only further frustrate the general public in the double standards practised against these police officers with such blatant immunity provided to them.

“Such ineffectual action as this by their superiors in the police force will only further demean the confidence of the public in the police force and their integrity in carrying out their responsibility in the interest of public,” the statement says.

Waythamoorthy also questioned how the police expect to restore public confidence in their “professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness” in reducing crime, if they are unable to take stern actions against their own suspected police officers.

He added that such action reflected the lack of respect the police force hold for the “fundamental rights and the value for human life”, as enshrined in the federal constitution.

Cessation of Indian custodial deaths were among the demands dropped by Hindraf when signing its historic pact with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak-led BN in April, a move which earned the movement much criticism.
IPCMC the only way

Meanwhile, the Stop State Violence Movement, a coalition of 30 NGOs, in its statement urged the authorities to seek the root causes of custodial deaths instead of the “cosmetic move” taken by way of the special committee on custodial deaths headed by Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar (below).

“We as members of civil society are simply fed up with such cosmetic reforms implemented by the government, which have not realised any positive outcome of eliminating custodial deaths.

“It still continues to remain a state-sponsored form of violence, where the perpetrators are able to act with impunity,” the movement said.

It stressed that the only way to make perpetrators accountable and ensure effective check-and-balance would be through an “independent mechanism” such as the rejected proposal for an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

Stop State Violence Movement said the need for the IPCMC was "very clear", based on the experience learnt from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Bill (EAIC), which replaced the controversial Special Complaints Commission (SCC) Bill, that the current proposal to establish a national team "will be another failure of another cosmetic reform".

“The only way to end torture and deaths in custody is to make all enforcement officers conscious that non-compromising actions will be taken and perpetrators made accountable.”

Dr M, Daim will decide debate on Najib’s future, says veteran newsman

 

Najib still has influential backing and may experience less opposition from those trying to take him down.
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — Any open debate on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s future as Umno president and prime minister will be driven by the country’s longest-serving Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Daim Zainuddin, veteran journalist Datuk Abdul Kadir Jasin said today.

Following the May 5 polls where Najib led his Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to victory, observers have said that he is now seeking to secure his position as the party leader in the Umno elections that are expected to take place this year.

“Dr Mahathir, Daim and several independent bloggers will determine whether Mohd Najib’s future as Umno President and Prime Minister will be openly debated,” Abdul Kadir wrote in a blog post titled “Kesan Positif Sekatan dan Imbangan Selepas PRU13” (The positive effects of checks and balance after GE13), referring to former Umno minister Daim.

Abdul Kadir said that the two veteran Umno leaders had even met and drawn up an action plan following the 13th general election where BN managed to hold on to power with a smaller haul of 133 federal seats, fewer than its 140-seat win in 2008.

“Daim met Dr Mahathir in Putrajaya few days after the May 5 general election where they were said to have made a ‘review’ of the results and the short-term and medium-term measures that they will take,” Abdul Kadir said.

Abdul Kadir also said that BN’s war room should acknowledge that it had lost out to Najib’s predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his advisers, referring to the former BN chief who had retained power in 2008 despite his coalition losing its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time in history.

“Whatever it is, Abdullah can now hold his head up high because the accusation that his performance in PRU 2008 was hambar is no longer accurate because Mohd Najib’s achievement was even worse despite support by Dr Mahathir and Daim. Looking at Mohd Najib’s achievement, I myself feel that (I had) over-criticised Abdullah after GE 2008.

“Like it or not, Mohd Najib and his staff that run the ‘Bilik Perang’ (War Room) BN should sincerely, openly and transparently admit that their boasts had memakan diri (failed) and they lost to Abdullah and his Fourth Floor Boys.”

The Malaysian Insider previously reported that sources within BN had questioned the strategies used by the BN war room, but BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor reportedly denied on May 15 that the war room had failed to achieve its targets, pointing out that BN had won the mandate to form the federal government.

On Monday, Abdul Kadir’s blog carried a transcript of Daim’s interview with local daily China Press, where the former finance minister blamed Najib’s advisers for BN’s failure to regain a two-thirds parliamentary majority, claiming that they had used the wrong strategy to drive BN’s election campaign.

In the same blog post today, Abdul Kadir noted that Najib still has backing from the influential Dr Mahathir and may experience less opposition from those trying to take him down.

“In the political arena, Mohd Najib Abdul Razak’s position will continue to be disputed. Just maybe not as outspoken as what happened to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after PRU 2008 because Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is lebih mesra (more friendly) with Mohd Najib and many of the bloggers that used to be anti-Abdullah are now pro-Mohd Najib. They may not support any negative moves towards Mohd Najib, and may even demonise anyone that tries to bring down Mohd Najib.”

He said many harsh comments have been directed at Daim since his interview criticising Najib and his men was published.

Dr Mahathir has said BN has no choice but to throw its weight behind Najib, who will likely survive his second term as prime minister due to a lack of an alternative, international business newswire Bloomberg reported on May 25.

“I think the party will support him because of a lack of an alternative,” 87-year-old Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying in Tokyo in a speech at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.

Observers have said BN’s performance will likely affect 59-year-old Najib’s bid to stay on as Umno president, with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, 66, seen as a possible contender for the post.

Despite the BN’s poorer overall electoral results, Najib’s leadership had ensured Umno succeeded in netting a significant nine more seats in Election 2013, giving the Malay party a total of 88 in the Dewan Rakyat compared to 79 in Election 2008.

No need for IPCMC, says minister

Minister in PM's Department Paul Low says that the existing EAIC is a sufficient channel to handle cases of police abuse.

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to establish the Independent Police Misconduct and Complaints Commission (IPCMC), said Minister for Governance and Integrity Paul Low.

He said there is an existing channel called the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) that would perform the same duties as the IPCMC.

“There is no need to form the IPCMC, we already have a channel that allows the public to lodge complaints with regard to the enforcement agencies called the EAIC,” he said.

“There is lack of awareness. I believe that the only thing left to do is to educate the public on how one can lodge a complaint via the EAIC,” he added.

Meanwhile, Low also said he had brought up N Dhamendran’s case at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday.

Dhamendran, 32, died in police custody on May 21. The post-mortem reported concluded that he had died of blunt force trauma and the case has been classified as murder.

The police headquarters in Bukit Aman has since established the case as murder and had set up an independent task force to investigate the issue.

“We as the government, need to act on this issue urgently. I brought it up at the Cabinet meeting yesterday and the outcome was positive,” Low told a press conference.

He said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has agreed to cooperate and work with the relevant people.

“The minister has also promised to urge the police to hasten their investigations in Dhamendran’s case,” he added.

Also present at the press conference was Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) director D Ravindran, whom Dhamendran’s family accused of harassing them.

Ravindran explained that there were no conversations hinting towards a settlement nor asking the family to disengage their lawyers.

“I only called the father V Narayanasamy to tell him that a minister with the PM’s Department would like to meet the family to convey his condolences and offer help to seek justice for the deceased,” he said.

“The father kept telling me that they were too busy and were unable to meet the minister. I even offered to bring the minister to the Bukit Aman police headquarters where the father said they were going to lodge a report,” he added.

Genuine in wanting to help family


Ravindran said he later managed to speak to the PKR MP R Sivarasa with the help of Bersih chairperson S Ambiga.

“That was when I contacted Sivarasa to express our willingness to work together with anyone for that matter to help the grieving family find justice,” he said.

Low added that they would not “harass” the family any further and would maintain Sivarasa as their only point of contact.

“If we continue to call the family, they are going to say that we are harassing them again. We want to avoid this,” he said.

“From now on, we will only keep in touch with Sivarasa but we are still willing to help the family in any way possible,” he added.

Low also pleaded to the media and all political parties to help the family sincerely if possible and not politicise the issue.

“We have a grieving family here, we should not use them for political benefit. We are sincere in helping the family, we hope others who want to help are on the same wavelength,” he said.

The police’s ‘seditious lack of speed’

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.

Cops accused of baiting violence

An activist lawyer explains her uncomplimentary picture in Utusan Malaysia.

PETALING JAYA: Police tried to provoke aggression from the participants of a candle light vigil outside the Jinjang detention centre a week ago, according to activist lawyer G Sivamalar.

“They were provoking and shouting at us,” the Lawyers for Liberty activist told FMT in explaining a news picture showing her in confrontation with a policeman. Utusan Malaysia published the picture on its Page 8 today.

“The picture was taken intentionally to intimidate lawyers,” she said.

“And yes, I am the one who shouted at the police constable. The police kicked my friend, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, and pushed a student activist. I told them not to touch him.”

Fadiah is a prominent member of Suaram.

The constable in the picture, Muhalim Osop, yesterday received a commendation letter from Kuala Lumpur’s deputy police chief, Amar Singh.

Sivamalar said she went to the scene of the May 22 vigil to represent vigil participants whom the police had arrested.

“I arrived there only after receiving news that 18 people were detained,” she said, contradicting the Utusan description of her as an opposition supporter and a participant in the vigil.

The vigil was held for student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim, who was detained for four days on suspicion of making seditious statements at a forum early this month.

Fadiah has lodged a police report over the alleged kicking incident. The report also directed a complaint against a senior investigating officer identified only as Othman.

“I am lodging a report against SIO Othman, to be investigated by an independent team from Bukit Aman, for abusing his power by denying the right to have legal representation in accordance with Section 28 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Article 5(3) of the Federal Constitution,” she said in the report.

“I am also lodging this police report because a policeman abused his power and kicked me at the entrance of the police station.”

Others lawyers have also lodged police reports against being barred from meeting the detained participants of the vigil.

The 18 suspects were released after interrogation.

‘Once in a while think of the people’

This is the advice R Ramanan offers to those in MIC who are jostling for positions.

GEORGE TOWN: Upset with the infighting in MIC, the party’s strategy bureau vice chief R Ramanan has called on those jostling for posts to “once in a while think of the people you represent and not yourselves.”

Instead of crossing swords, he urged his colleagues to spend their resources to reconcile, recuperate, recover, restrategise and revitalise the battered party.

He slammed those aspirants vying for top positions in the coming party polls as selfish opportunists for putting their political interests above party and community interests.

He called on these opportunists to focus on the betterment of the Indian community, rather than themselves.

Ramanan said his colleagues should take a six-month break to allow peace and unity to prevail in MIC before they eye for positions in party polls.

“This kind of internal squabbling and jostling for positions at this time is downright disgusting. We have just emerged from a grueling and bruising general election.

“Everyone should give the party time to heal. They should spend their resources to resolve pressing Indian issues, not on politicking and bickering.

“The community wants MIC leaders to fight for Indian rights, not among themselves. Once in a while, please also think of the people you represent and not only of yourselves.

“Let us be united and not divided,” he told FMT.

Ramanan said he found it odd that MIC leaders have started fighting for posts now when the party polls would only take place sometime next year.

Since Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had formed his Cabinet, he reminded MIC government appointees to cooperate and get on with their respective jobs to address public grouses.

From now until the next election, he reminded MIC leaders that they faced tough political challenges and to keep the party relevant.

Or else, he warned MIC would suffer the same fate of MCA and Gerakan.

“It seems some MIC leaders’ obsession for posts have blinded them from their duty to uplift Indians from their woes.

“If this obsession persists, the community indeed faces a bleak future with our priorities being upside down. MIC can be wiped out in next round,” he warned.

DAP reminded of pledges to Indians

A branch leader says the party must make good on its Gelang Patah Declaration.

GEORGE TOWN: A local DAP leader today urged the party to use its influence in Pakatan Rakyat state governments to fulfill the promises it made to Malaysian Indians in its Gelang Patah Declaration.

G Asoghan, who heads the party’s Jalan Bagan Luar branch, said at least the Penang government must pursue the vision stated in the declaration, which DAP leaders affirmed in the run-up to the recent general election.

He told FMT it was important for the Chinese-dominated DAP to prove that the declaration was more than just a gimmick to woo Indian voters.

The declaration, which is essentially a package of promises aimed at improving the lot of poor Indians, was first declaimed on March 31 in Gelang Patah during an election campaign rally for DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang.

Several groups immediately dismissed it as an imitation of the Hindraf demands that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak eventually endorsed, also in the run-up to the election.

Asoghan criticised DAP leaders for finding fault with the Hindraf blueprint, saying they seemed to be trying to divert public attention from the party’s own pledges to the Indians.

“Stop harping on the Hindraf blueprint,” he said. “Walk your talk on your own declaration before criticising others. Indians are waiting for your mee segera (instant noodles).”

He said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must consider it his duty to make good on the Gelang Patah Declaration.

“Guan Eng has a public duty to implement the declaration made by his father,” he said.

“He should walk his talk on multiracial politics by empowering the marginalised Indian community in Chinese-dominated Penang.

“Since Kit Sing’s declaration promised so much for Indians, ideally the DAP-helmed Penang Pakatan government must fulfil those pledges.

“It will be an opportunity for Guan Eng to change the public perception of DAP as a Chinese chauvinist party.”

In the declaration, DAP promises to resolve the myriad of issues that plague the Indian community, including poverty, joblessness, statelessness, their lack of access to higher education, their lack of representation in local councils and the civil service, their susceptibility to extrajudicial killings and other forms of oppression, and the problems they face in acquiring land and other facilities for Tamil schools, Hindu temples and burial grounds.

Police panel on custodial death draws more flak

Gobind Singh Deo questions the lack of action on the part of the police over previous recommendations to stem out deaths in police custody.

PETALING JAYA: The suggestion of a special police panel on custodial death is receiving more flak. The latest criticism against the panel was made by Puchong MP, Gobind Singh Deo on the grounds that the previous recommendations were brushed aside by the police force.

“There has been a RCI which resulted in the proposal of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission. Even after this, there have been deaths in police custody which have become the focal point of anger of the nation against the police such as the case of Kugan, Ahmad Sarbani and Teoh Beng Hock.

“In Teoh Beng Hock’s case, there was also a RCI which came out with specific criticisms and suggestions to solve these problems, to ensure deaths like these do not occur again in custody.

“In addition to this, this matter has been raised in Parliament many times and in the last session, the Home Ministry assured the house that steps were being taken to solve the problems,” said Gobind who is also DAP’s national legal bureau chief in a statement today.

On Tuesday, Bukit Aman management director Mortadza Nazarene announced that the police would be setting up a special committee led by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar to curb deaths in police lock ups.

The committee that is expected to start functioning soon will among others, monitor the safety aspects and health condition of those detained by police in lock ups.

Central lock ups in five locations have already been equipped with CCTV cameras, intercom, lawyers room, court room, identification parade room for suspects and a pantry.

On that note, Gobind also challenged Khalid to reveal the measures undertaken by the police to stop the recurrence of deaths in police lock-ups.

“The IGP should take the challenge and tell us, until now, what steps have been taken to improve, to ensure deaths in custody does not occur again?

“How much of the suggestions and recommendations from the RCI’s of the past have actually been implemented? He should also outline the number of deaths and what action has been taken against officers concerned,” said Gobind.

He also said that Khalid should be in the forefront to push for the implementation of IPCMC if he truly wanted to end deaths in custody instead of forming panels that are a waste of time and contribute to the decline of public confidence in the police force.

Khalid shouldn’t lead the committee

PAS central commitee member Dzulkefly Ahmad also criticised the idea of Khalid leading the committee.

“One cannot be a judge for his own cause. He would be partisan for the police force. It would be better if a respectable personality with sterling character such as a former judge or a law professor leads the committee,” said the former Kuala Selangor MP.

Yesterday, PKR vice president N Surendran who is also the legal counsel to Dharmendran’s family criticised the move as an attempt to cover up by the police.

He also questioned Khalid’s competency to lead the special committee.

While commending the move, Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong reiterated calls for IPCMC and the formation of a Coroner’s Court.

The rising dangerous trend of misinformation

Hindraf slams those who have chosen purposefully to spread untruths and create a myth and let it go viral spinning off the social media network.
COMMENT

By N Ganesan

There is a dangerous trend developing in the public information domain that bodes ill for us all Malaysians.

We used to criticize the mainstream print media for its untruthful and biased reporting of events and occurrences around the country. Now it looks like that is coming full circle with the online media, social media all resorting to similar yet more vicious campaigns of untruths and distortions of truths.

For a clear example of this kind of falsehood I refer to a recent article that was published in a widely read online portal titled, ‘Kula flays Waytha for silence on custodial death’ on May 27, 2013, quoting DAP’s M Kula Segaran extensively.

There is vicious untruth in the article and it was penned and published by noteworthy individuals and organization.

That article is entirely baseless. Its basic premise is false. Its arguments are at best nothing more than self serving and opportunistic rhetoric.

It is written by a journalist, who claims a career of 40 years in journalism. It is shameful what that 40 years has come to be. The comments section of the article and the Red Bean Facebook circuits will just amplify these lies and perform the greatest disservice to our country, of spreading untruths in volumes.

It all ill-portends a Goebbellian new world for Malaysia.

The writer of that article quotes Kula Segaran about Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy’s ‘deafening silence’ .

I wonder if they know what that really means. They should refer to the article ‘Lame excuses from the cops’ in the Free Malaysia Today online portal on May 23, full four days before the article.

Waythamoorthy makes it plain in that article just where he stands on these unacceptable acts of deaths in custody.

This is Waythamoorthy’s stand

Just for record, here are a few key things that Waythamoorthy mentioned in that article:

“Waythamoorthy also called on Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar to immediately suspend all those suspects allegedly involved in the death of Darmindran, 32. He said the police cannot go on giving lame excuses on such incidents because there were one too many deaths in police custody.

“Public will no longer entertain such lame excuses,” he told FMT here today. He said it was time for the police to implement preventive measures to stop these deaths such as installing closed circuit television cameras in all police stations and lock-ups.

He also called the government to amend the law to allow formation of area citizen groups who would be given round-the-clock access to their respective neighbourhood police stations and detainees in police lock-ups. Citing several countries which practiced it, he said these groups shall be made of neighbourhood residents with good and credible public standing, and not necessary they have to be educated or professional persons.

He said citizen groups shall be allowed to visit police stations and detainees at any time to have first-hand look at their captive conditions.“It’s important for the police to take these pro-active steps immediately to restore waning public trust and confidence in the force,” said Waythamoorthy.”

Spreading untruths on purpose

Both Kula Segaran and the writer is the first article cannot be excused for non-knowledge of this article. After all this is public domain and they are operators in this domain.

I have therefore no choice but to conclude that they have chosen purposefully to spread untruths and create a myth and let it go viral spinning off the social media network.

Their job in this episode, seems to be to initiate untruths and let black become white in the intensity of what ensues, and to cast themselves as the heroes of the victims and to cast others equally in the scene as villains. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

It is time that Malaysia and Malaysians become aware of this dangerous new trend arising where minds will continue be controlled, by lies, by distortions of truths, by half truths and just by repetitions and intensity in the social media and all in the name of a new morality of the underdog’s truth.

We all need a better Malaysia. The Malaysia we all need is one where truth prevails, regardless. Not one in the grips of vicious untruth spread by wolves in sheepskin.

We do not need to descend down this path shown us by opportunistic leaders and pied pipers whose job now it seems to be to lead this new variety of misinformation.

N Ganesan is Hindraf’s national advisor.

‘Dharmendran not given legal aid after arrest’

The Star
K Pragalath and G Lavendran

The police failed to ensure that Dharmendran had sufficient legal representation, says Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar today pointed out that the police failed to comply to procedures in arresting N Dharmendran, who died in police custody last Tuesday.

“The police is required to inform the family of the suspect. They are also required to inform the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) so that the suspect will have sufficient legal representation,” the Malaysian Bar said in a statement.

It added that the guidelines for enforcement officers stipulated that as soon as an arrest has been made, and before the suspect is questioned, the police officer must inform the suspect’s family (or friend) of the arrest.

The police must also provide details of the suspect and the arrest to YBGK, who will then dispatch a lawyer to offer legal representation to the arrested person.

“However, we understand that YBGK did not receive any notification from the police about Dharmendran’s arrest.

“We regret to note that this is the second occasion that we are aware of where YBGK was not notified of an arrest, and the detainee later died in police custody,” said Bar president Christopher Leong.

Dharmendran was arrested on May 11 and died 10 days later. Last Thursday, his death was classified as murder.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Muhammad Salleh confirmed that an independent task force has been set up at Bukit Aman to probe the death.

Prior to this, the police also failed to inform YGBK on the death in custody of 32-year-old K Nagarajan. He was found dead on Dec 24, 2012 in the Dang Wangi police station lockup.

Leong also reiterated calls for the formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission as well as the formation of a specialised Coroner’s Court to probe into deaths in police custody.

On another note, he also welcomed Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar’s role in heading a special committee established to take measures to prevent deaths in police lockups.

“Such measures provide some assurance of the level of seriousness being accorded to the grave issue of deaths in police custody,” said Leong.

Yesterday Bukit Aman management director, Mortadza Nazarene said that the committee would among others monitor the safety aspects and health condition of those detained by police in lock ups which would also include the setting up of closed circuit televisions (CCTV).

“Police are concerned with a spate of incidents involving deaths in police lock ups and we are viewing such matters very seriously to prevent similar cases,” he said.

‘Just another cover up’

The setting up of the special committee was however criticised by PKR vice president N Surendran who is also the legal counsel to Dharmendran’s family.

“The police came up with these suggestions right after A Kugan’s case in 2009, none of it has been implemented till today,” he said.

“This is just to show the public that the police is concerned and that they are taking action. But this is really just a cover up to hide the truth from the people,” he added.

Surendran also rubbished Khalid’s competency in heading the special panel.

“Khalid is not the right person to lead this special squad, he is incompetent and not worthy for that post. He was the Selangor police chief when Kugan and Aminulrasyid were found dead, he has done nothing to fight for the justice of those people.

“If he disagrees or is not happy with my statement, I challenge him to take me to court. I will still stick to my words that he is incompetent,” he said.

UMNO/BN “war room” strategists and propagandists thought rakyat are suckers but it is UMNO/BN leaders like Zahid who prove to be real “suckers”

The 13GE UMNO/BN “war room” strategists and propagandists thought the rakyat are suckers who could easily fall victim to their lies and falsehoods concocted about the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat, but it is UMNO/BN leaders like the UMNO Vice President and new Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zahid Hamidi who prove to be the real “suckers”.
Before I am accused of using foul or indecent language, let me give one definition of “sucker” which is “Informal. a person easily cheated, deceived, or imposed upon.” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/suckers?s=t
A case in point is the lies the UMNO/BN “war room” strategists and propagandists concoct and weave about the DAP’s so-called “Red Bean Army” of cybertroopers to demonise the Umno/Barisan Nasional leaders.
The trouble about the allegations about the so-called DAP’s “Red Bean Army” of cybertroopers is that they are so wild and reckless that there is no effort on the part of the UMNO/BN “war room” strategists and propagandists to present a consistent and credible version.
Instead, everyone who jumped on the bandwagon to tell lies and falsehoods about the so-called DAP “Red Bean Army” of cybertroopers had the liberty to develop their own version – which is why the number of “Red Bean Army” varies from 200 to 2,000 and even 3,000; and the monthly payment could vary from RM3,000 a month to even up to RM10,000 a month; and the period of existence of the “Red Bean Army” ranging from four to six years.
This is why the range of expenditures for the alleged “Red Bean Army” could vary from:
(i) RM108 million (based on 200 cybertroopers being paid RM3,000 a month for six years with a RM1.5 million monthly budget, i.e.RM18 million a year or RM108 million in six years); to
(ii) taking an average of RM5,000 a month for 3,000 cybertroopers (the allegation is that the 3,000 cybertroopers are paid from RM3,000 to RM10,000 a month!) which will work out to RM1,080 million in six years.
Only crazy people like those who run the Umno/BN “war room” and who concoct the lies about the “Red Bean Army” can believe that the DAP has RM108 million to RM1,080 million to employ an army of cybertroopers to spread lies and falsehoods about UMNO/BN!
The imagination of these concocters of the “Red Bean Army” just ran riot, not only about the astronomical numbers and budgets but also the centres of operation, claiming that the “Red Bean Army” operates from various centres throughout the country, specifically naming two places – Komtar in Penang and Hotel Concorde, Kuala Lumpur.
I cannot help laughing when I am told that these wild allegations have even forced the Hotel Concorde management to come out with a denial, as reported in yesterday’s New Straits Times “Hotel says it does not know of group’s activities”.
Malaysian journalism is blazing new frontiers, concocting lies from whole cloth, then publishing clarifications and denials in such fictitious plots. If the the New Straits Times is honest, ethical and truthful, its report yesterday should be: “Hotel says there is no such group activities”!
I am reproducing the NST report, for it deserves a permanent place in the history of Malaysian journalism to show the depths Malaysian journalism had descended in the service of the 13GE Umno/BN “war room” strategies:

29 May 2013| last updated at 12:12AM
Hotel says it does not know of group’s activities
By AMIRA ZULKIFLI | news@nst.com.my
RED BEAN ARMY: Concorde concerned over claims it is operating from its premises
KUALA LUMPUR: CONCORDE Hotel Kuala Lumpur has no knowledge of the existence of the DAP-funded Red Bean Army (RBA) cybertroopers or their activities in its premises.
In a statement to the New Straits Times, hotel general manager Gary Lee said the hotel’s owners and management were deeply concerned over recent media reports claiming that a certain group out to incite hatred against the government was operating from the hotel.
“As a legitimate and reputable corporate entity, Concorde Hotel wishes to state emphatically that the owners and management are totally unaware of the existence of such a group or movement mentioned in these news reports, much less the activities carried out by the unknown parties within the hotel’s premises.”
“From the day it opened in 1991, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur has never wavered from its main role as a hospitality service provider in the local tourism industry.
“As a responsible business entity that strictly adheres to all the rules and regulations governing the local hospitality sector, it has never condoned any unlawful business transactions or illegal activities of any kind in the hotel.
“We are solely focused on the business of providing accommodation and food and beverage options to all guests who walk through our doors.”
Ex-PKR Youth Information bureau secretary Nordin Ahmad had been quoted in the media, including the New Sunday Times on May 26, as saying that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was utilising a band of cybertroopers, known as the Red Bean Army, to incite hatred against the government by spreading falsehoods over social media.
He also claimed that Anwar had employed services of the RBA, which he claimed to be funded by the DAP, after Pakatan was formed in March 2008.
Nordin had alleged that about 3,000 members of the RBA had been operating for the past six years.
He had claimed that RBA worked with a dedicated network purportedly at the hotel, as well as the Komtar building in Penang.
He had also claimed that the group’s propaganda had managed to influence many Malaysians into thinking that the 13th General Election was fraudulent.
This, he had alleged, enabled Anwar to stage a series of rallies called Blackout 505.
Nordin had pointed out several of the RBA’s alleged postings, which included rumours of price hikes, had been proven to be mere hoaxes.
He added that the rumours were meant to deceive the public and stir up hatred against the government.
Read more: Hotel says it does not know of group’s activities – Latest – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/hotel-says-it-does-not-know-of-group-s-activities-1.288760#ixzz2UlpwLPMP

I must congratulate the Umno/BN “war room” strategists and propagandists for not being complete failures – for although they failed to entrap the Malaysian rakyat as “suckers”, at least they caught UMNO/BN leaders like Zahid to be the “suckers” who believed their tales and concoctions and even want to move the entire government agencies and personnel to act on them!
These UMNO/BN “war room” strategists and propagandists would not admit that they had been responsible for trying to concoct the most despicable and unethical of lies – and in order to salvage their reputations, they are continuing to concoct and weave more lies and falsehoods in the hope to get more “suckers” to believe them.
Their latest work is the report “Guan Eng ‘much feared in DAP’” with the by-line of Syed Umar Ariff – containing a new pack of lies and falsehoods.
NST is not training a new generation of journalists but a new generation of liars!
Let us see who are the new “suckers” in the Umno/BN leadership who could believe these new lies and falsehoods about the DAP and Pakatan Rakyat.

Court Of Appeal Upholds 12-month Jail Sentence On Dr Mohamad Khir

PUTRAJAYA, May 30 (Bernama) -- The Court of Appeal Thursday upheld the 12-month jail sentence on former Selangor menteri besar, Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo on the charge of obtaining for himself and his wife a valuable item, namely two plots of land and a bungalow unit at Section 7, Shah Alam, near here four years ago.

The court also upheld the decision of the Shah Alam High Court on Dec 23, 2011 which ordered the accused to forfeit the ownership on the property obtained and hand it over to the government.

The panel of three judges led by Datuk Seri Abu Samah Nordin, however, allowed the application by the counsel for the appellant, Datuk Seri Mohamad Shafee Abdullah, for a stay of the execution of the sentence while waiting for the outcome of the appeal at the Federal Court.

Justice Datuk Azahar Mohamed, who read the judgement lasting almost two hours, said that the panel of three judges, which also comprised Datuk Aziah Ali, had unanimously decided that there was no reason for the Court of Appeal to disturb the findings of the facts and conviction made by the High Court judge on Dec 23, 2011.

He said that after scrutinising all the appeal records, as well as the submissions by both parties, the panel agreed that the trial judge had made a correct decision and did not err in convicting Dr Mohamad Khir on the charge.

Azahar explained that the panel had scrutinised in detail the six major grounds raised especially by the appellant (Dr Mohamad Khir) why the appeal should be allowed.

Firstly, the issue of whether the appellant was a public servant as provided for under Section 165 of the Penal Code, secondly, whether the payment of RM3.4 million for the property was adequate, thirdly, whether the appellant had any official relationship with the seller of the property concerned, Shamsuddin Hayroni (SP2), fourthly, whether SP2 was a willing participant in the crime, fifthly, the credibility of SP2, and sixthly, whether the prosecution had succeeded in raising reasonable doubt at the end of the defence case.

On the first issue, Dr Mohamad Khir as a board member and chairman of PKNS (Selangor State Development Corporation) had done a lot in discharging his executive responsibility and he was included in the interpretation of a public servant.

On the second issue, he said the appellant had shown interest on the said property since 2004 and eventually, Shamsuddin had agreed to sell it at a price of RM3.5 million to look after his business interest where he had many dealings with the PKNS.

"The transaction was made not on a 'willing buyer and willing seller' basis where SP2 had bought the property at a price of RM7 million," Azahar explained.

Dr Mohamad Khir, 48, is accused of obtaining for himself and his wife, Zahrah Kechik, 46, a valuable item, that is, two plots of land and a house at No 8&10, Jalan Suasa 7/1L, here from Ditamas Sdn Bhd (Ditamas) through its director, Shamsuddin.

Dr Mohamad Khir, who was a former State Assemblyman for Sungai Panjang, is charged with committing the offence at the official residence of the Selangor Menteri Besar at Jalan Permata 7/1, Section 7, here on May 29, 2007.

Azahar said the submission by counsel for the appellant, that the valuation of RM3.5 million on the property made by the consultant from Rahim & Co had been based on the market value, could not bind the court and it should be valued based on the overall evaluation of facts on the transaction for the property.

On the issue that SP2 (Shamsuddin) was a partner in crime, Azahar explained that the trial judge had found that SP2 was a credible witness and "not a willing participant in the crime".

Azahar said SP2 originally (in 2004), when Dr Mohamad Khir showed an interest on the property, had offered a price of RM6.5 million and had to agree to a lower price later to look after his business interest as a contractor.

"In addition, the witnesses called up by the appellant at the defence stage had failed to raise any reasonable doubt, and the personal assistant to the appellant had also given a contradictory statement," Azahar said.

Dr Mohamad Khir, who was present in the dock, appeared calm throughout the proceedings today and shook hands with his supporters who were present in court.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Shafee told reporters that he would file a notice of appeal at the office of the registrar of the Court of Appeal tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA

Dharmendran’s death makes world news

Indian NGOs back Waytha's role in gov't

A group of Indian-based NGOs have expressed their support for Prime Minister Najib Razak for appointing P Waythamoorthy as a deputy minister in his new cabinet.

Waythamoorthy’s appointment has been condemned by his brother Uthayakumar, who has described him as the "New Samy Vellu" or yes-man to Umno.

But Kulim-based Batu Grace Ashram founder and adviser Solomon BG Rajanthren said Najib had done the right thing, as there is a need for more Indian Malaysian representation in the government, especially from a NGO.

"A NGO would understand another NGO's concerns and needs. We feel that not enough attention has been given to such organisations and their tireless work," Solomon told a press conference in Penang, last night. flanked by 10 other NGO leaders.

"We do not blame anyone but NGOs have been helping the community without being given due notice and recognition and usually we have no proper channel to express our views or raise our issues.”

For example, NGOs have carried out joint research with Universiti Sains Malaysia on ways to resolve the problems of Indian youths.

"We sent (the paper) to the PM but nothing has happened. We truly need the right channels to approach him, so an Indian representative in government can perhaps help us," said Solomon (right).

"Whether the proposal is approved or not is secondary, but we do have such a paper to address the needs of the Indian poor and we hope it will be considered.”

Solomon cited the example of MCA approaching NGOs in Kulim and offering them RM5,000 for their services to the community.

He said he had questioned the MCA official on the point of “giving such an amount to small NGOs to do their work”, noting that the sum is inadequate for all the work that needs to be done.

He made it clear that the NGOs are not "for or against" anyone, when fielding a question on whether they support Hindraf or the role it has been given in Najib's government.

Some 120 NGOs from Penang, Kedah and Perlis have arranged to meet Waythamoorthy (left) at the end of next month to discuss the community’s needs.

Asked if the groups are seeking financial help from the government, Solomon replied that the NGOs will present Waythamoorthy with "viable and meaningful" projects for the community.

"The more representation we have in the government, the better. It is time for us to show our unity," he said.

"We are just happy that a NGO has been given an opportunity. They are from the grassroots and understand the struggles of the community very well.”

Short rally

The NGOs represented at the press conference were Persatuan Kebajikan Ayirathil Oruvun Ithayakkani MGR based in Penang, Anbe Aanantham, Persatuan Kebajikan Sri Paramahamsa Thasar, Kolej Yakin and Persatuan Komuniti Kaum India, from Kedah.

The group later held a short rally, holding placards and shouting "Hidup PM (long live PM)" and "1Malaysia".

They carried a large banner with Najib's photo and a caption reading ‘We support the prime minister's decision to appoint a NGO as an additional representative for Indians’.

Waythamoorthy's new role came after a three-week hunger strike which ended when Najib endorsed Hindraf's 18-point blueprint, signing a memorandum of umderstanding with the NGO.

He then campaigned for BN in the 13th general election, calling on the Indian Malaysian community to help the coalition to regain its two-thirds majority in Parliament - which it failed to do.

Dr Subra: No decision to challenge Palani

He says an article by Bernama on Monday that he would be contesting for the MIC presidency was speculative in nature.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC deputy president Dr S Subramaniam has denied making any decision to challenge the top post in the coming party election.

He said Bernama’s speculating article last Monday was only the views of the writer without any authentication.

“The writer of the article should have consulted and got my views before writing an article with far-reaching implications.

“It is very unfair to drag (former MIC president) S Samy Vellu into this because many of us in MIC still look up to him as a senior leader who was responsible in providing us with political space to grow,” said Dr Subramaniam in a statement to Bernama here today.

An article entitled ‘Dr Subra Set To Challenge Palani For MIC Top Post’ stated that the incumbent party chief, G Palanivel was expected to face a tough challenge in the defence of his position at the party’s presidential polls.

The article also quoted a source as saying that Samy had given his ‘green light’ for Dr Subramaniam to take on Palanivel in the party race next year.

Dr Subramaniam said the Central Working Committee had decided the party election be postponed to the early part of next year, and there would be an average seven to eight month-interval to the election.

“To suggest that the rest of the eight months would be sacrfified for the party politics is unthinkable. I have also taken on a new ministry and need more time to move on with fresh and new agenda for the ministry,” he said.

He said MIC was now preparing to re-invent itself to meet the coming challenges to remain relevant as the main representative of the Indian community in the government.

Seeing that the party machinery had to be overhauled and strengthened, Dr Subramaniam said the grassroots connectivity had to be re-energised and there was so much to be done between now and the party election.

- Bernama

Xavier’s supporters gather outside Anwar’s house

The group vented their frustration over the decision to drop the dentist from the Selangor exco line-up.

PETALING JAYA: Disappointed that Dr Xavier Jeyakumar had been dropped from the Selangor exco lineup, a group of PKR members and NGO leaders gathered outside party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s house in Segambut to vent their frustration last night.

It is learnt that they also held a closed door meeting with Anwar, persuading him to give the Seri Andalas assemblyman an exco post for another term.

“However, it was not a fruitful meeting since PKR has already identified their new exco line up for the second term under Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s administration,” claimed a source close to Anwar.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the PKR source confirmed that it was a heated meeting after one of the supporters was told to leave the meeting by Anwar.

According to him, six people led by Selayang councillor George Gunaraj and Suaram co-chairman K Arumugam had the meeting with Anwar.

It is believed that during the meeting, Anwar explained that it was the Selangor palace and not the party that wanted Xavier to be dropped.

Xavier was appointed as the state exco in the Pakatan Rakyat government after winning the Seri Andalas state seat in 2008.

Despite the dentist retaining his seat by defeating MIC candidate T Mohan with a bigger majority this time around, he was dropped from the exco list for unknown reasons.

In a related issue, Anwar’s special advisor R Suresh Kumar criticised Xavier and his supporters for gathering in front of Anwar’s house.

“It is very unprofessional and unhealthy for a senior leader like Xavier. Any party related issues must be discussed in the office not in leaders’ houses,” he added.

Suresh also admitted that he would lodge an official complaint over the incident.

“I will meet the party disciplinary committee by this week to lodge a report against Xavier and his supporters who gathered in front of Anwar’s house,” he said.

New line up

Meanwhile, the new exco line up sees four new faces, two from DAP, one from PKR and one from PAS.

V Ganabathi Rao (Kota Alam Shah), Dr Daroyah binti Alwi (Sementa), Sallehen Mukhyi (Sabak) and former Selangor speaker Teng Chang Khim (Sungai Pinang) are the new faces.

While Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan), Ean Wong Hian Wah (Seri Kembangan), Iskandar Samad (Chempaka), Dr Halimah Ali (Selat Kelang), Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Sijangkang) and Rodziah Ismail (Batu Tiga) remain for another term.

The new exco will be sworn at the Alam Shah Palace tomorrow.

Dharmendran’s case: Desk beat for four cops

They had been reassigned to desk duties at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters so as to facilitate the probe into Dharmendaran's death by officers from Bukit Aman.

KUALA LUMPUR: Four policemen including an officer who investigated a shooting case in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, which resulted in the death of N Dharmendran while in police custody, have been reassigned to desk duties, said city police deputy chief SAC Amar Singh Ishar Singh.

He said they had been reassigned to desk duties at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters so as to facilitate the probe into Dharmendaran’s death by officers from Bukit Aman (Federal police headquarters).

Criminal elements were suspected in the death of Dharmendran, 32, who was detained at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters lockup.

On Tuesday, Dharmendran had complained of chest pains while held at the lockup but was pronounced dead on arrival when he was brought to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

Yesterday, Bukit Aman Director of Management Mortadza Nazarene said police will be setting up a special committee headed by Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar soon to look into the welfare of suspects held in lockups.

Earlier, Amar Singh had handed over a Royal Malaysia Police letter of appreciation to Constable Muhalim Osop for “keeping his cool” under extreme provocation by a group protesting the detention of a student activist in front of the Jinjang police station here on Thursday.

Muhalim, 22, from Sabah, who was on guard duty that night, was subjected to all kinds of insults from the protesters but he just went about doing his duty.

The protesters had demanded the release of student activist Adam Adli Abdul Halim who had been detained under the Sedition Act 1948 for allegedly urging the people to topple the government ala the “Arab Spring” at a forum held in the city recently.

“There was a woman among the group who claimed to be a lawyer and was pointing a finger at his (Muhalim’s) face but he handled the situation very professionaly and acted wisely to calm down the protesters,” Amar Singh told reporters.

Deceased’s family: PM’s Dept harassing us

The family of N Dharmendran claim to have received multiple phone calls from the PM's Department.

PETALING JAYA: The family of N Dharmendran have claimed that the Prime Minister’s Department and police are harassing them.

Father of the deceased, V Narayanasamy, said he received multiple phone calls on May 27 from a person who claimed to be working with the PM’s department known as D Ravindran.

“He told me that he is calling from the PM’s Department and that they want to help us solve Dharmendran’s case,” he said.

“He also told me to keep the conversation secret and that I should not share the information with Dharmendran’s wife or the lawyers,” he added.

Narayanasamy also claimed that Ravindran, who is a Pemandu director, had advised him not to engage the lawyers that are already assisting the family.

“He told me not to engage the current lawyers and that he would help provide new lawyers to handle the case,” he said.

“He also assured me that they would take care of the whole thing and make sure justice was served,” he added.

Narayanasamy had refused the favours and had since asked Ravindran, who also claimed that he was working under the newly appointed minister Senator Paul Low, to stop contacting him.

Dharmendran, 32, an Indah Water employee was arrested on May 11 shortly after lodging a police report that he was involved in a fight earlier that night.

Family members later received a call saying that Dharmendran was sent to HKL, where he died, on May 21 due to an asthma attack.

However, the post-mortem revealed that he had died of blunt force trauma and the police have since classified the case as murder.

‘Najib must explain’

Lawyer and PKR vice president N Surendran, who was also present at the press conference, criticised Ravindran for asking the family to keep the conversation confidential.

“Why must they keep it a secret if they are sincere in helping the grieving family?” he asked.

“It’s clear that there is an attempt by the PM’s Department to disengage us as lawyers and cover up the matter,” he added.

Surendran urged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to explain his matter.

“This is not the first time they are doing this. They placed a ban on Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand from performing the second autopsy in C Sugumar’s case, now this?” he said.

“We want an explanation from the PM and all those involved in the PM’s Department on the issue of harassment being suffered by the family,” he added.

Dharmendran’s widow M Marry said that the police are more interested in recording statements from family members and their lawyers but not the actual perpetrators.

“They collect statements from us for hours even though the autopsy report shows that my husband died of blunt force trauma. We don’t know what happen, why interrogate us?” she said.

“The police should investigate and take statements from all the police officers involved in the arrest and interrogation of my husband, that would paint a clearer picture for them,” she added.

Senator Low: Our intentions misunderstood

Senator Low meanwhile has denied that the government was attempting any cover up on the case as alleged by Dharmendran’s family and lawyers. He said the PM Department’s intentions had been misunderstood.

“We tried to explain that we are willing to work together with any party, regardless of political affiliations,” he said.

“This was sadly misunderstood as a means to settle out of court,” he added.

As minister overseeing human rights and integrity, Low called upon the police to hasten their investigation which should be transparent, impartial and definitive.

“I have spoken to Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on this and have his assurance of a thorough investigation, and anyone found responsible will be prosecuted to the full extent of law,” he said.

Low further claimed that his office had spoken to PKR’s Subang Jaya MP and lawyer R Sivarasah yesterday to clarify that they are willing to bridge the political divide.

“We need to rebuild the public confidence in all our enforcement agencies and that human rights, safety and security must be respected and protected especially under police custody,” he said.

“Furthermore, I’d like to assure the public that a thorough evaluation of all procedures, practices and regulations will be made to ensure that they comply with the highest standard of integrity to safeguard the well-being of any person in custody,” he added.

Jayathas cries foul

In related development, PKR’s S Jayathas condemned a front page report by Utusan Malaysia about how he pretended to faint after obstructing a government official.

In a report called “Ahli PKR ‘berlakon’ pengsan”, printed on May 27, Utusan alleged that Jayathas pretended to faint after claiming he was pushed by a police officer.

Jayathas and lawyers had accompanied the family of Dharmendran to the Dang Wangi police headquarters on May 26 to lodge a police report when the incident took place.

“Being a dialysis patient, my legs are weak. I was not pretending. I felt giddy and fell after I was pushed by a police officer,” he said.

“The police claimed that I went in and out of the police station too many times but in reality, I only came out once to address members of the press and was denied re-entry right after,” he added.

Jayathas also said it was irresponsible of the Dang Wangi police chief to make statements before any investigations are carried out.

“They haven’t conducted any investigations yet they want to charge me under Section 353 of the Penal Code – obstructing a government official,” he said.

“I think it is very immature and irresponsible of him and he should now explain himself,” he added.

'CPO should have stated cause of Kugan's death'

A senior federal counsel personally agreed with a Kuala Lumpur High Court judge that former Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar should have held another press conference after the cause of A Kugan's death was known.

Justice VT Singham asked senior federal counsel Azizan Md Arshad several times whether he thought that Khalid (left), now the inspector-general of police, should have held another press conference to clarify matters surrounding Kugan's death.

Khalid, at an earlier press conference, had said Kugan had died after water was given to him.
Subsequently, an independent post-mortem revealed that the 22-year-old had endured severe beatings, was starved during his incarceration, and died of kidney failure due to the assault. 

Kugan's family has filed an RM100 million claim against Khalid, the police force and the government, and specifically against Khalid, for trying to cover up the cause of Kugan's death while in police custody.

Judge Singham: Do you think that the first defendant (Khalid) should have held a second press conference as the plaintiff had alleged a cover-up? Should he clarify?

Azizan: I cannot say. Only God knows (why this was not done).

Singham: Why wasn't (this questioned in court)? When the first defendant held the press conference, was it before the first post-mortem or after?

Azizan: Before, when Khalid said he was briefed by ASP Rodney Paslan that water was given to (Kugan) before he died.

Singham: Don't you think that he should have held another (press conference when) the real cause of death was made known after the first post-mortem? Come on, tell and assist the court.

Azizan: Personally, I feel it (the press conference) should have been held.
The parties were submitting at the end of the suit filed by Kugan's mother, N Indra (right), over his death while in custody at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya.

Kugan, who died on Jan 20, 2009, was a tow-truck operator who had been arrested by police on suspicion of theft of luxury cars.

‘Blunt force trauma caused death’

Justice Singham also pointed out that pathologist Dr Abdul Karim Tajuddin, who conducted the first post-mortem, had testified during the criminal trial in March 2010 that blunt force trauma was the cause of death.

Abdul Karim had, in his post-mortem report, stated the cause of death to be pulmonary edema (water in lungs). He has since been sanctioned by the Malaysian Medical Council.

Sivarasa Rasiah, representing Indra, submitted that she is entitled to damages in excess of RM5.2 million based on loss of support, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, assault and battery, false imprisonment and misfeasance in public office.

Sivarasa said exemplary damages should also be awarded, so that this would serve as a lesson to others.

“Exemplary damages can be awarded against the wrongdoer for breach of public duty. Such relief for depriving the fundamental rights of the person in custody is sound policy to punish the wrongdoer,” he argued.

The court is vested with discretionary power to award remedies for contravention of human rights and fundamental freedom, said Sivarasa (right), who was assisted by Bani Prakash.
“The purpose of relief is to uphold or vindicate the constitutional right that had been contravened,” he said, adding that Indra is also seeking costs at RM150,000.

Justice Singham set June 19 for the delivery of the judgmnent.

‘Cops delaying murder probe’

N Dharmendaran's family is furious over the delay and the deceased's wife has vowed not to remove her 'thali' until the policemen responsible are charged.

PETALING JAYA: The police have been accused of delaying the murder investigation concerning N Dharmendran, who died recently in police custody.

Expressing disappointment and anger over this, the family’s lawyer N Surendran said the deceased’s wife M Marry, 26, has also refused to remove her “thali” until the perpetrators are charged.

The “thali” is tied around the bride’s neck by the bridegroom during a Hindu wedding ceremony.

Speaking to FMT, Surendran said the authorities were not using their powers effectively in identifying the culprits.

“I blame the government and the police for this delay, only they have the powers and details to take action on the perpetrators, yet they don’t put their sources to proper use,” he said.

“The police and government have never shown interest in cases involving police brutality ever since A Kugan’s case in 2009.

“They have neither had the intention to charge nor prosecute the ones responsible for the deaths in police custody thus far,” added the PKR vice-president and MP for Padang Serai.

Dharmendran, 32, an Indah Water employee was arrested on May 11 shortly after lodging a police report that he was involved in a fight earlier that night.

The father of a two-year-old daughter was held at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters and was sent to HKL, where he died, on the night of May 21 due to an alleged asthma attack.

However, the post-mortem revealed that he had died of blunt force trauma. The family was also horrified to discover that his body was covered with bruises, while his ears and ankles were stapled.

On May 23, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mohmad Salleh confirmed that Dharmendran’s case was being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

Mohmad also confirmed that the investigations were being carried out by a special team from the Bukit Aman police headquarters.

Time for IPCMC

Another lawyer for the family, Latheefa Koya also agreed that the police were delaying the investigation process on purpose as they should have all the necessary details by now.

“It’s clearly a delaying tactic. They can easily identify the perpetrators as they have all the details

“As long as there is no political will from the government to set up the Independant Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), BN will always protect the police and vice versa,” she added.

The lawyers would accompany the family of Dharmendran to express their dissatisfaction with the police at a press conference scheduled for tomorrow.

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

Bukit Aman management director Commissioner Datuk Mortadza Nazarene.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cops being questioned over Dharmendran's death

Several individuals including police officers have been hauled up to assist in the investigation into the custodial death of N Dharmendran.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) deputy director Hadi Ho Abdullah stressed that the police will not compromise on the matter even though this had happened in the custody of the Kuala Lumpur serious crimes division, Berita Harian reported today.

"We have called up a  number of officers to record their statements to assist in the investigation before we identify those who responsible for the cause of death,”  he was quoted as saying.

"The investigation will be done as swiftly as possible so that those responsible for causing Dhamendran's death will face action according to law."

Bukit Aman police headquarters had said in a statement yesterday that it has taken over the investigation after the post-mortem report indicated the possibility of criminal elements in Dharmendran's death.

"For this purpose, a special team has been formed to ensure that the investigation is conducted transparently and fairly. It will not shield any officers found to be involved," it said.

Yesterday, the police recorded a statement from Dharmendran's wife M Marry and her lawyer N Surendran (left).

They were among eight individuals whose statements have been recorded to date, according to Berita Harian.

Dharmendran was reportedly arrested when he lodged a police report after being involved in a fight on May 11.

His wife and parents only knew of his arrest on May 19 and had visited Dharmendran at the police lock-up.

He was to have been released on bail on May 21 but Mary received a call saying he had died.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Ku Chin Wah was quoted as saying that the 31-year-old had died as a result of breathing difficulties.

However, police later classified the case as murder after a consultant pathologist at Hospital Kuala Lumpur confirmed that Dharmendran had died of multiple blunt force trauma.

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