KUALA LUMPUR – After three custodial deaths in six weeks, Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) security committee is urging Putrajaya to hold an inquest.
The committee’s statement came after the death of Surendran Shanker, a 21-year-old detainee at the Simpang Renggam prison, which was reported yesterday.
Surendran was detained under the Prevention of Crime Act and died at Kluang Hospital in Johor.
The official cause of death said he suffered from a septic shock with various organ failures.
However, his family believes there may be elements of foul play.
“This case is the third death-in-custody within six weeks, after the death of A. Ganapathy on April 18, and S. Sivabalan on May 20. PH’s security committee expresses our deepest condolences to all their families.”
It added that an inquest, which is conducted in open court, will serve the purpose of determining the real cause of death in all three cases, and also allow their families to be part of the inquest through legal representation.
“If the coroner’s court finds that there are people responsible for causing their deaths, action must be taken against those responsible, including prosecuting them in court.”
The committee also said the recent custodial deaths may be a sign that there is a lack of accountability on part of the government.
“How many more deaths-in-custody must happen before it is viewed seriously by the government?”
Meanwhile, Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik said he has been in touch with parties involved in the matter since yesterday.
He said Surendran was under the supervision of the Prisons Department and not the police, the officials from the prison have been professional.
“The Prison Authority and the hospital have assured me that they will give their full cooperation in the investigations of Surendran’s death.
“I urge the authorities to conduct an inquest pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Code to identify the cause of death of the late Surendran Shanker,” he said in a statement. – The Vibes, May 28, 2021
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