No raising Kugan case, deputy speaker orders MPs

PARLIAMENT Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Ismail Mohamed Said has barred members of parliament from raising the issue of death-in-custody victim A Kugan in the House.

Ismail said this would be tantamount to interfering in judicial proceedings, even though the High Court had delivered judgment on June 26.

"Even though the decision has been made, the government still has 30 days to appeal," Ismail noted.

Earlier, N Surendran (PKR-Padang Serai, right) had raised issues surrounding Kugan's death in his debate on the motion of thanks on the royal address, arguing there has been lack of action on deaths in custody.

Ismail said he was using his discretion to decide if this could interfere in legal proceedings or affect any party in an ongoing civil case.

Tian Chua (PKR-Batu, left) disagreed with the decision, stressing that the deputy speaker could not anticipate that the government will lodge an appeal regarding the case.

On June 26, Justice VT Singham had ruled in favour of Kugan’s family in their civil suit against the police and the government. He awarded the family RM801,700 in damages.

Home Minister Zahid Hamidi yesterday signalled the government's intention to appeal the court's decision.

Kugan died on Jan 20, 2009 in the police lock-up in Taipan USJ, Selangor, after being detained for questioning.