Penang's task force on custodial deaths has roped in four NGOs to help the state to effectively address the issue, in the face of seven of such cases in the state this year.

 

Task force members - Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy and state executive councillors Jagdeep Singh Deo ( left ) and Dr Afif Bahardin - met with Aliran's Preme Devaraj, Suaram (Penang branch) representative Ong Jing Cheng, Bar Council Legal Aid Centre (Penang) executive director Vithhushini Sivakumaran and Amnesty International executive director Shamini Darshini today.

 

"We have decided on four actions to be taken to address the issue of custodial deaths," Ramasamy told a press conference today.

 

The actions include ensuring that the law on custodial deaths, where a magistrate is supposed to call for an immediate inquest, be applied from now, he said.

 

The task force has also decided to establish a support group for the families of victims, as the burden is often very much felt by their mothers, wives and children.

 

The group, with the help of NGOs, will look into the public education aspect, organise forums and training for victims and families to know their rights on custodial deaths, Ramasamy said.

 

"We will also engage with the police. Our intentions are well meant and if they are open to this, it will help the force restore its integrity.

 

"We also have to engage with the state Health Department, as most of the victims are pronounced dead in hospital."

 

Ramasamy said he would also brief the state executive council on the progress of the task force and would probably seek for some allocation to carry out the activities planned.

 

"This is a long and formidable journey but we have to start somewhere," he said.

 

'Ratify Convention on Torture'

Meanwhile, Shamini urged the Malaysian government to speedily ratify the Convention on Torture, which it has yet to do despite the recommendations of the United Nations Universal Period Review.

 

"The government continues to reject this recommendation but ratifying the Convention on Torture will help address the issue of custodial deaths," she added.

 

According to statistics recently presented to Parliament, from 2005 to 2013, there were 138 deaths in police custody, of 133 males and five females.

There were 54 Malays, 31 Indians, 26 Chinese, eight others and 19 foreigners.

 

The figures for custodial deaths from 2000 to 2013 were 238. Causes of deaths include HIV (8), asthma (1), heart disease (12), suicide (18), hemorrhage (7), others (90) and injuries by police (2), Ramasamy revealed.