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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.

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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.

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Makkal Sakthi asks Obama to close Kamunting

January 20th, 2009
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This is just a symbolic move by Makkal Sakthi. But what caught my attention was their tactic to just have four people gather to hold a banner, meaning there’s no need to apply for a police permit. Smart fellas.

And guess what,  there were 100 policemen there!!! How nice if these guys were deployed in crime infested areas in such short time. Sure can catch some criminals.

By the way, their rep in New York is also expected to pass a petition to Barack Obama

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has sought the help of US president-elect Barack Obama to close the Kamunting detention camp in Taiping, Perak.

MCPX

Four Hindraf members made the plea in a press statement issued today, saying that the movement welcomes Obama’s decision to close the camp for suspected militants in Guantanamo Bay.

The four held up a banner outside the US Embassy in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, in a 15-minute demonstration this morning.

The assembled police force of about 100 personnel was surprised at the ‘small’ turnout. However, this was Hindraf’s bid to get around the restriction on gatherings of more than four people, which require a police permit.

In the statement signed by S Jayathas, Hindraf also congratulated Obama on his inauguration – scheduled for 1am tomorrow, Malaysian time.

Hindraf – banned by the government on Oct 15 last year – also said it counts on his support to help Indian Malaysians who “are being suppressed by the Umno-led government”.

R Shan, the movement’s representative in New York, is expected to hand over a petition to Obama in Washington today.

A similar petition will be submitted to Najib Abdul Razak when he becomes the prime minister of Malaysia in March.

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MIC and MIED in turmoil over AIMST tenders

January 14th, 2009
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This is really a tale of two side. One on side, there’s the Star version of the issue, and on the other side the Malaysiakini version.

Let’s look at them both. The Star first.:

1. The report says that 3-member panel has been formed to investigate “alleged misappropriation” in the award of contracts by MIC’s education arm, the Maju Institute for Education Development (MIED) concerning the party’s Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST).

2. MIED board of directors appointed former MIC treasurer-general Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar to head the panel with MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel and party disciplinary committee chairman Tan Sri G. Vadiveloo as members. It seems that Samy Vellu had instructed during the meeting for the panel to be formed.

3. Samy Vellu was concerned as three contracts seemed to be have been given out at inflated values. The sources said the panel would also investigate two contracts given to companies linked to a senior MIC leader.

4. Nijhar said:

“I am just looking through all the documents and have not gone into the details of the contracts.

“The panel will meet once I have sorted out the documents. The panel is not out to get anyone in particular, but to ensure everything is in order,” he said.

It was learnt that the panel had obtained all files on the alleged misappropriation from the MIED office.

5. The report then mentioned Tan Sri Mahalingam’s name (he was the MIC treasurer until replaced recently by SK Devamany) – “Mahalingam, when contacted, said there was nothing to hide and he would answer queries from the panel”. So, is Mahalingam the “senior MIC leader”? Your guess is as good as mine.

Let’s shift to Malaysiakini’s report:

1.MIC has been rocked by a scandal involving its education arm, Maju Institute for Education Development (MIED), over alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts for maintenance of the party-run AIMST University. [OK, similar with Star report]

2. Sources said the trouble started when MIED was instructed to revoke two contracts given out based on an ‘open tender’ system. Instead, its managers were told to reassign these to persons close to MIC president S Samy Vellu. [Big difference here. Samy’s name is implicated]

3. The two contracts were respectively for grass-cutting services and to operate a canteen at the university. Sources said the sum quoted by the new parties – one of whom is based in Ipoh – was considerably higher than that in the bids already accepted.

4. The contracts were among five awarded by MIED for various services last year. [we get the figure of 5 contracts. The Star reported 3+2, so is it the same contracts?]

5. Heads are expected to roll – in fact, the summary dismissal of party treasurer M Mahalingam two weeks ago is said to be one outcome, although Samy Vellu had attributed it to “routine change”. On Dec 23, Mahalingam also had to relinquish his post as chairperson of MIED Capital Sdn Bhd, the company that runs the AIMST University located in Semeling, Kedah. [I bet this was not publicized anywhere. So, Malaysiakii links Mahalingam in this case]

6. Insiders said the situation over the contracts has pitted Mahalingam and MIED chief operating officer P Chitthirakala Vasu against Samy Vellu. It is learnt that both were unhappy with the manner in which they were forced to re-issue the contracts, and had repeatedly raised the matter with Samy Vellu. [Unlike the Star’s version, this paragraph indicates that its not Mahalingam who is the alleged “senior leader” in the Star, but its Samy himself!]

7. Chitthirakala is said to be under pressure to submit her resignation as well, but has refused to do so. She has told close friends that she will fight Samy Vellu “until the truth is known”. [she has now gone “on leave” and the Deputy CEO has taken over the running of MIED. I have a copy of her coffee table book on Samy Vellu]

8. “This is an explosive matter. The president is worried that this matter will be used against him in the party polls later this year and has decided to act against the duo,” said a source.

9. Sources said Samy Vellu has questioned the huge debt amassed in running the university, and that he has blamed the MIED top management for this.

10. Samy Vellu has since set up a three-member panel to investigate the alleged irregularities in awarding three of the five contracts, which he claimed had been given out at an inflated value. Details of the three contracts are not known. Set up following a meeting of the MIED board of directors last Friday, the panel is headed by former party treasurer KS Nijhar (right). The other two members are deputy president G Palanivel and party disciplinary committee chairperson G Vadiveloo. All three of them are considered to be Samy Vellu’s loyalists. Athough Nijhar and Palanivel had a fallout with Samy Vellu recently, insiders said that they are back in his good books.[similar with the Star report]

11. The panel is also expected to look into why the cost of constructing the university had increased.[extra duty of the panel]

12. The sources also said that Mahalingam, who had attended the meeting, had asked the panel to investigate the two contracts given to companies linked to Samy Vellu. [the Star did not mention that Mahalingam was at the meeting]

13. It seems Mahalingam has said –

“He has said that he has nothing to hide and that he had only followed the president’s instructions,” said an aide.“Mahalingam has also urged Samy Vellu to hand over the matter to the newly-established Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, but the president wants the matter to be probed internally.”

14. Sources, however, see the sole purpose of the panel was the removal of Chitthirakala – “The panel is in place so that Samy Vellu is not implicated in the (alleged) financial irregularities of MIED. It is not just a witch hunt against the top people in MIED, but also to clear Samy Vellu of wrongdoing,” said a source.

So,  reading both reports gives us more information to digest. What we can agree is that there’s a 3-member panel who will investigate 3 (or 5) contracts. 3 contracts alleged to be given out at inflated values, and the other two instructed to be given to companies linked to senior MIC leader (Samy Vellu ?) . The target of the panel is to investigate who’s fault it is. For me, if anyone can instruct MIED to do this and that, the investigation becomes easier. We are looking at the top people in MIED, MIED Capital, and MIC. 3 companies, 3 names.

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Kuala Terengganu Indian voters meet Najib

January 14th, 2009
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I saw the Indians at Kuala Terengganu attending a dinner (organised by MIC?) over the TV. At that time, it was mentioned by the reporter that Deputy PM Najib may attend the dinner.

Looks like he did, and below is extract from NST report:

Datuk Seri Najib Razak last night urged the Indian community not to fall prey to the opposition’s provocative campaigns.

He said although there had been some recent problems affecting the Indians, these problems were not entirely insoluble.

“I am very confident that these problems can be addressed effectively through consultation and discussion,” he said at a dinner with the local Indian community.

The deputy prime minister acknowledged that there had been some dissatisfaction among Indians regarding several sensitive issues, including some that were raised within the Umno set up.

“Umno is a large party and the views of one or two members do not represent our stand as a whole.”

Najib said issues such as the destruction of Hindu temples had been blown out of proportion and exploited by some quarters for their own political benefit.

“Let me assure you of this: we are not the type of government that goes around destroying temples in the country.”

Najib said the government was also constantly in touch with grassroots leaders from the community to solve their problems.

This included the problem of stateless Indians, he said, adding that he had raised this issue in the cabinet.

Najib urged Indians not to be fooled by the opposition’s propaganda, saying that unlike Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Rakyat was a loose coalition that could not even share common objectives.

3 things I would like to refer from his speech:

1. what he means by recent?

2. “including some that were raised within the Umno set up” and “the views of one or two members do not represent our stand as a whole” . I think the action that the party to in response to the one or two members is lacking. Latest incident is when banners saying close down Tamil schools were shown in Melaka during an unreleated protest by UMNO.

3. “we are not the type of government that goes around destroying temples in the country.” This is most laughable. While he may proclaim so, the truth is the opposite. Temples were and are being demolished for various reasons. He should have not said this statement.  He could have reworded it into something more acceptable like ” won’t demolish or relocate temples without proper procedures being followed”. Then, maybe we can consider his statement as possible.

At the same dinner, Sothinathan gave his views:

MIC vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan said a party survey showed that in the March general election, 80 per cent of the Indians had supported Barisan Nasional.

“This time around, we do not see much problems in getting the support of the Indians.

“Things in Kuala Terengganu are far different as compared with the other states, for example during the Permatang Pauh by-election.

“There are no real issues among the Indian voters here,” Sothinathan said at the MIC office, near here.

Sothinathan, who is also MIC co-ordinator for the by-election, said he had been getting positive feedback during meet-the-Indian voters sessions.

“Most of the issues which they have raised are concerning day to day matters. We have pledged to look into their problems and seek solutions.”

One of the main grouses of the Indian community in Kuala Terengganu is difficulty in getting citizenship.

“There was a case of an elderly couple, both in their 70s who have been here for more than 40 years but still have not got their citizenship.“

Other issues include business opportunities, education, housing and employment in the civil service.

Sothinathan said MIC would also help to provide transport to bring back Indian voters working or living outside Kuala Terengganu.

1. Hmm…80% supported BN in the March general elections???

2. 40 years and no citizenship. Indonesian who comes now can be public bus driver holding PR. What an irony.

However, there seems to be a lack of local issues for Indian community, unless they look at national issues affecting the community. Of course, if what Samy Vellu says is right, there are some problems affecting the Indians due to UMNO itself!:

The MIC president also claimed that during his visit to the parliamentary seat of Kuala Terengganu recently to oversee the setting up of MIC’s operations room in preparation for the Jan 17 by-election, many had complained to him that Indian, especially Hindu religious songs and cultures, were allegedly barred from being practiced openly

Whoa! What a blooper! (or is it the truth?)

BTW, The same Star report mentioned that:

While the Chinese voters have been described as the “king-makers” in the Kuala Terengganu by-election, the voice of the 523 registered Indian voters cannot be ignored.

Of this number, 380 live in the area while the rest are working in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang and Johor.

Most of the Indian voters, at 235, are registered in the Bandar state seat, 188 in Ladang, 80 in Batu Burok and the rest in Wakaf Mempelam.

They are mostly businessmen and professionals, like lawyers.

This is critical as the majority by the previous MPs was only 628. If the Malay votes are split equally, the Chinese and Indians will be the king makers.

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