Archive for the ‘BornInMalaysia’ category

More on Kugan’s death in police custody

January 21st, 2009
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Here’s a link to Malaysiakini’s video, taken by Indrani Kopal. I quote their caution:

WARNING!
Due to the distressing nature of the following material, viewer discretion is strongly advised.

For those without access to Malaysiakini video, can download the clip in MP4 format by clicking here. You can useVideoLan VLC media player to view it.

Below is a slideshow of the photos at the Serdang Hospital.

There’s some photos at YB Manikavasagam’s website as well.

Unverified sources said that Samy Vellu was busy answering calls regarding this death while he was at the SJKT Vallambrosa school. It seems that among the suspects who tortured the detainee was a Indian inspector. Not sure on how valid this information is.

Meanwhile, the family of deceased lodged a police report and denied saying that the deceased was an asthmatic patient.  Some representatives from DAP, PKR, MIC and Makkal Sakthi were present there as well offering their support. MK reported that about 80 people were present at the Seri Kembangan police station, venting their anger ath the police.

They held up banners with pictures of the deceased, showing the injuries he sustained while in police custody.

The banners read: “police are licensed killers”, “police are killing Indians” and “police are thirsty for Indian blood” in Malay and English. They also briefly chanted slogans.

Talking to reporters later, Kugan’s family members said that the deceased did not suffer from asthma and could not have died from breathing difficulties, as claimed by the police.

Asthma or Torture?

January 21st, 2009
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It was a common story – death in police lockup which, in this case, was attributed to suspected asthma attack. The story in Malaysiakini as follows:

A 23-year-old youth detained in connection with several car theft cases died this morning at the Taipan police station in USJ.

MCPX

Sources identified the deceased as Kugan Ananthan from Puchong.

The youth was detained on Jan 15 in Kajang in relation to several car theft cases in the Subang Jaya district.

Kugan was being held at the Puchong police station under a two-week remand to facilitate investigations.

It is learnt that the suspect, who is said to be suffering from asthma, was taken to the Taipan police station this morning for questioning in relation to a car theft case there.

According to sources, Kugan had requested for water and upon drinking, he had vomited and collapsed at about 11am.

Following this, a doctor from a nearby clinic was brought to the police station and he confirmed that the suspect had died.

The body was later sent to the Serdang Hospital for post-mortem.

It is believed that the police are awaiting the post-mortem report to determine if any foul play was involved in the case.

Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the death to Bernama.

During interrogation, the man asked for a glass of water and upon drinking the water, he collapsed and lost consciousness. A doctor from a clinic nearby who was summoned to examine the man later confirmed that he had died,” he said.

He also said that the deceased was detained on suspicion of being involved in robbing and stealing luxury cars such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in Sungai Chua, Kajang.

Khalid said that a thorough probe would be done on the matter and asked people not to speculate on the cause of death.

“We don’t want any party to speculate as cases of custodial deaths were a sensitive issue. The man had also given his cooperation throughout the interrogation.

“No matter what the case may be, I give my assurance that a thorough investigation will be carried out and we are waiting for the outcome of the post-mortem,” he said.

It was first revealed that the suspect’s body has been sent to University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for a post-mortem.

Hearing this, several politicians and civil activists had started gathering by 9pm at UMMC, only to be re-directed to the Serdang Hospital.

“We are told that the body has been taken to the Serdang Hospital,” a MIC Youth leader to Malaysiakini.

This was later confirmed by S Jayathas from Hindraf, who also went to Serdang with Kapar MP S Manikavasagam.

I received the following photos via email:

Now, the above injuries does not like caused by asthma attack. The injuries could have been inflicted before or during arrest. Also possible to be signs of torture. Marks on wrists can be due to handcuffs , or not.

What do you think? YB Mike claims its murder and is expected to lodge police report.

Earlier last week it was car park attendant B.Prabakar who claimed 11 policemen tortured him. 7 of the 9 policemen identified by him have been arrested and pending court case, after a task force was formed to investigate his allegations. Another person who was arrested along Prabakar,  Solomon is missing until now.

Omar and Nizar wrong on civil servants

January 21st, 2009
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I read a very funny statement from Cuepacs president yesterday:

Cuepacs president Omar Osman has denied that civil servants had contributed to Pas’ victory in Saturday’s Kuala Terengganu by-election.

He said public services employees, both those serving the federal and state governments, fully supported the Barisan Nasional and Umno leadership.

He was commenting on a claim by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

“Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin claimed government staff serving the federal and state governments sympathised with and supported Pas,” Omar said yesterday.

“He also said they had become more daring to vote for Pas in the by-election despite being threatened or forced.

“This is a big lie by a man who knows nothing about the public services or its system.

“The more than 1.2 million civil servants in this country have been loyal and supportive of the government. There is no doubt about that.”

He said civil servants appreciated what the government had been doing for them all these years.

“They know who has been fighting for their welfare and paying their salaries to enable them to feed and support their family. Leave them alone,” Omar said.

Firstly, I think its wrong of the Perak MB to suggest or claim that civil servants are supporting PAS or any other party for that matter. He cannot possibly represent any segment of 1.2 million people nor conclude how these people voted.

The same goes for Cuepacs president. Yes, he is the official representative of the civil servants FOR issues related to EMPLOYMENT only. He cannot represent the individuals nor can he claim that the civil servants are supporting certain parties. Civil servants can do their job without any political affiliation. Regardless of who is the government of the day, the work must go on.

Secondly, it is known that civil servant salary comes from tax collection, i.e. the public money.  Never had been a case that any political party paid for salary of government staff from its own coffers. So, who is it the workers should be indebted to ultimately?

If one remembers the results for Putrajaya parliament seat, the opposition did garner a number of votes. Thus its meaningless to say that all civil servants support certain parties when even in the most important parliamentary seat it was not a clean sweep of the votes.

I am obliged to think that these employees are professional enough to separate work from political leanings.  Perhaps only the leaders need some education on this matter.

Civil servants., just like any other citizen, can vote for whoever they like and its nobody’s business.  Any interference is a crime against basic human rights.  So, Omar, Nizar and the rest can keep their opinions and claims to themselves less they are made to look like fools.

Tan Sri Ramon on NEP deviation

January 21st, 2009
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Confirming what many Malaysians already know, one of the persons involved in the drafting of NEP, Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam says this in Malaysiakini article:

The New Economic Policy (NEP) has deviated from its original aim of eradicating poverty in the country and thus, it is imperative that the policy is studied again in detail, not by politicians but by professionals.

MCPX

At the launch of a new book entitled “Malaya’s First Year At The United Nations” at the Royal Lake Club this afternoon, Ramon Navaratnam (right in picture) said, “I have some knowledge of it, as I was one of those who drafted the NEP. I agree with Tunku Abdul Rahman when he said there’s nothing wrong with the NEP per se, but (there are problems with) the way it is implemented.

“At that time, neither Tun Dr Ismail nor any of us thought of APs (approved permits) and special privileges for the rich. We thought of poverty eradication regardless of race and the removal of the association of occupation with race.

“But it has had different turns and twists, and I think it is well worth a study of where it deviates from the ideals and wisdom of people like the late Tun Dr Ismail,” added Navaratnam, who is also director of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute.

Race Relations Act plan grounded

January 20th, 2009
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The Race Relations Act was mooted back in September by MCA after the Sin Chew reporter saga. The cabinet moved to work on it. However, there were hints that it will be “adapted” to our local environment as mentioned by Home Minister Syed Hamid.

In a major turnaround, it seems the Cabinet decided that such an act is not relevant.

The government has decided not to pursue the proposed Race Relations Act – just four months after saying that the cabinet had agreed to do so.

The change of heart was announced today by Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Shafie Apdal.

He said that the cabinet has now agreed that there was no need for the Act, according to reports.

Shafie said that the cabinet had studied the matter thoroughly and has decided not to proceed with the proposed Act.

“Race relations is something that comes naturally and cannot be forced through legislation,” he told reporters today.

“That is why everyone in the cabinet agreed there was no need for such an Act.”

Shafie added that so many experts were against such an Act being implemented in this country.

The minister also said that he had studied similar acts in several other countries and found that such an act was not suitable here.

To overcome any religious tensions, the minister suggested that everyone respected each others’ religion and race.

“We have lived in harmony for more than 50 years. Why can’t we continue to do so? You cannot force someone to like you. It must come naturally,” he added.

Interesting words indeed – “The minister also said that he had studied similar acts in several other countries and found that such an act was not suitable here.” Wonder what he means by that.