Suhakam urged to act on Norizan case
In a bid to end police brutality, a group made up of opposition members from various parties and activist lawyers submitted a memorandum to Suhakam commissioner N Siva Subramaniam today.
In a bid to end police brutality, a group made up of opposition members from various parties and activist lawyers submitted a memorandum to Suhakam commissioner N Siva Subramaniam today.
This follows the case of Norizan Salleh (in black), a 30-year-old single mother who sustained five gunshot wounds in October last year when policemen opened fire on a car that she was traveling in.
As a result of the injuries, Norizan had part of her lung removed and has permanent damage to a hand.
The three-page memorandum was inked by PKR, DAP, Civil Liberty Malaysia, Police Watch & Human Rights Committee, the Human Rights Party, and Lawyers for Liberty after a previous memorandum to Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan fell on deaf ears.
Expressing concern over the high number of custodial deaths and incidences of police brutality, the memorandum demanded Suhakam institute an urgent public inquiry into Norizan’s shooting and alleged subsequent beating.
It also urged the body to advise the government to take immediate steps to form wide-ranging reforms in the police force and to implement fully the recommendations made by Royal Police Commission.
“There is an urgent need to form a public inquiry committee to address the matter. If we delay, more and more innocent people would be abused ,” said N Surendran, who was heading the group.
Issue to be brought up in parliament
Meanwhile, PKR parliamentarian Zuraida Kamaruddin and Kapar parliamentary member S Manikavasagam said that the issue would be brought up to parliament when it sits in March.
“We have not received any response from the Inspector-General of Police, and I believe the issue has fallen on deaf ears,” said Zuraida.
Raising concern over the high number of custodial deaths and the shooting of innocent people, she said the single mother’s welfare should be taken care of.
An accident, police say
Norizan’s cousin Saifulnizam, 30, said the police claimed the incident was an accident.
“They refused to take any responsibility over the matter or pay for her lung surgery in Institute Jantung Negara.
“If she had died during the incident, they would possibly have framed her as a female criminal.”
He also called for an immediate action to be taken against the police officers responsible for the injuries to Norizan.
