THE latest custodial death in Johor yesterday, the third in recent weeks, does not augur well for the image of the government and the police, said DAP leader P. Ramasamy.

The Penang DAP chairman and deputy chief minister II said the image of the government and police will take another beating if custodial deaths are allowed to occur frequently.

“What is the government of the day going to do about the steady increase of deaths in custody?” Ramasamy said.

“Our newly-minted Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani seems rather reticent on the matter of custodial deaths.”

Ramasamy also said no police personnel suspected of involvement in custodial deaths have been suspended nor prosecuted.

He urged the IGP not to fall into the pretence that things are well within the force.

The latest custodial death was reported yesterday after Simpang Renggam prisoner Surendren Shanker, 21, was pronounced dead at 12.30am at Kluang Hospital in Johor after having complained of stomach pains.

Police said he died due to “septic shock with multiple organ failure”.

Ramasamy listed several questions surrounding Surendren’s death.

“Who were responsible for these failures? Was he assaulted in the detention centre?

“Is there going to be an inquest into the mysterious death of Surendran? Will the police come forward to explain in detail what really transpired?

“Will the government take immediate action to suspend the police personnel if they had caused the death of Surendran?” he asked. 

Surendran’s family suspected that there could have been foul play involved.

Last week, Sivabalan Subramaniam, a 43-year-old security guard, died in custody at Gombak police headquarters within 24 hours after being picked up by police.

The police said initial investigations revealed the deceased had a history of heart problems.

And on April 18, milk trader A. Ganapathy also died while in the custody of Gombak police.

The autopsy findings said he died of severe injuries on his legs and shoulders.

Ramasamy asked if the recurring incidents meant that the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the working class, don’t matter anymore.

“Are they (authorities) going to sweep it under the carpet because it involved a person belonging to a marginalised community?

“Custodial deaths are a curse and tragedy on the members of the working class, the downtrodden and the marginalised,” Ramasamy said.

He added that Surendran’s death in Johor was certainly not going to be the last. – May 28, 2021.