THE recent spate of deaths in police custody has highlighted a need to set up the long-delayed Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) said Ramkarpal Singh.

The Bukit Gelugor lawmaker said that would provide an avenue for the families of the dead detainees to seek the truth and justice if it is needed. 

Ramkarpal said this yesterday at the virtual candlelight vigil, Black Day for Death in Custody organised the group Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together. 

Syed Sharif, whose brother Syed Mohd Azlan died on November 3, 2014 in Johor, hoped for justice for all the victims.

He said his brother died after sustaining 61 injuries at a police station in Sungai Rengit. 

“I was lucky that I managed to win the court case and I hope the others will be able to as well,” he said

Johor Baru High Court judge See Mee Chun found the police to be responsible for Syed Azlan’s death and awarded his family RM448,000 in damages and RM60,000 costs, both sums to be paid with interest from November 2014. 

Fadzilah Othman said she and her husband could not stop thinking about their son, Fadzrin Zaidi, 29, who died during Hari Raya  

“I don’t know what are the police doing to solve my son’s death. I just want justice for my son and I want to know how my son died, we want closure,” she said.

Fadzrin and his friends were arrested by police for alleged drug possession on November 20, 2019, at an undisclosed location, his parents said. 

Police obtained a five-day remand for him the next day and he was held at the centralised lock-up at the North Seberang Perai police headquarters on November 21.

On June 21, a 25-year-old man died while held at the Kajang prison. It was the 12th custodial death in six months.

Roopan was held while waiting for his appeal on June 29.  On June 17, he complained of breathing difficulties and was admitted to Kajang Hospital

He was treated and discharged and brought back to prison. He died on June 21, eight days before the hearing.

Suaram, the NGO handling the case, said the man, identified as Roopan Karnagaran, had no prior health issues. – July 17, 2021.