DEAR Zamri Yahya, Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department director,

Tell us what you are doing and will do about three police officers against whom the coroners’ court issued warrants of arrest today.

Benedict Thanilas was arrested on June 29, 2017 and detained in the Jinjang lock-up. On July 10, 2017, he died in police custody. His case is, therefore, one of death in police custody. An inquiry into his death is in progress at the Kuala Lumpur coroners’ court.

Yesterday, three cops were slated to testify. Their names were on the witness list. They did not appear.

After listening to the deputy public prosecutor, and supported by the lawyer acting for Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together, the coroner issued warrants of arrest against the three.

Their names are Muhammad Hafiz Hassan, Mohamad Hakim Hawari and Mohd Nasir Mohd Hashim.

The DPP told the court that the three officers had been issued subpoenas, and had been informed in advance. The DPP even said all phone calls to the trio were in vain, as they refused to pick up calls from the investigating officer, DPP, and even the court.

We note that the trio failed to appear in court. We note the public’s feeling that they conspired not to show up. We further note that during the hearing on June 26, 2019, the investigating officer in the case, Shahruddin Rajab, informed the court that entry registrations, medical reports and CCTV footage for the June 26 to 29, 2017 period had been disposed of.

The conduct of police in this matter, vis-à-vis the disposal of critical evidence, taken together with the probable conspiracy of the three officers to refuse to appear before a lawfully constituted court, is alarming.

Public confidence in the force hit an all-time low after the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) concluded on April 5, 2019 that Bukit Aman’s Special Branch was responsible for the enforced disappearances of social activist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh.

Not surprisingly, Suhakam has added its voice to the public clamour for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.

As Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador has said, a few bad officers give the largely good force a bad name. The bad cops must be dealt with, and must be seen to be dealt with.

Therefore, we call upon you to take prompt action against the three officers against whom warrants of arrest have been issued by the coroners’ court. We further call upon you to issue a press statement within seven days, describing what actions have been and will be taken by police against the trio. – August 27, 2019.

* Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together, Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances and Suara Rakyat Malaysia.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.