Gov't double standards in custodial deaths issue

MP SPEAKS The home minister says that he agrees that cops involved in custodial deaths should be suspended from the force, rather than being assigned to desk duties.

He, however , cautioned that such a move "must be done delicately to avoid demoralising the police force".

With respect, this is utter nonsense. It also proves yet again what we have been saying in the past which is that the government practices double standards when it comes to deaths in custody.

With that, we now understand perhaps why it is that no serious efforts have been taken until now to solve the problem or to implement the IPCMC and why perhaps it is this will never happen.

Those who are involved with custodial deaths are not entitled to preference just because they are police officers.

There is also nothing in the law which says that they must be treated delicately because they are police officers or that in taking action, the morale of the police force should be a matter of top priority.

The position should be the reverse. The law gives the police powers to arrest and detain people.

During this time those under detention are totally at the mercy of the police. The law gives the police powers to investigate but the police cannot abuse this power.

When they abuse this power, the law demands that stern action be taken against them simply because they have abused the trust placed on them as officers of law who should uphold and not instead break the law.

The minister also forgets to remember the impact such deaths have on the families of the victims and the public at large.

What about them? What about them being demoralised when repeatedly people die in police custody and there is just a total lack of spirit and urgency in taking action against the officers concerned?

This is by far the worst thing the home minister could have said. He has just admitted in public to double standards, that as far as the Najib administration is concerned, when it comes to certain quarters, different laws apply.

GOBIND SINGH DEO is DAP MP for Puchong.