Slain labourer: Gov't, Rela deny responsibility
Fauwaz Abdul AzizPublished: Sep 14, 2006 4:42 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The government and civilian defence corp Rela have denied any responsibility over the incident where a Rela member fatally shot 24-year-old labourer R Janaratan during an argument that erupted over an accident three years ago in Cameron Highlands.
The government and civilian defence corp Rela have denied any responsibility over the incident where a Rela member fatally shot 24-year-old labourer R Janaratan during an argument that erupted over an accident three years ago in Cameron Highlands.
On Aug 30, in their defence statement to lawyer A Sivanessan's writ of summons, the authorities said Fong Weng Fu, who is now on trial for murder, acted on his own and outside the powers and knowledge of Rela.
Sivanesan is representing the family of the deceased. Janaratan's brother Murali Balan, who was also injured in the incident, and their father K Ramasamy have filed a civil suit claiming for more than RM1.7 million in damages.
The suit named Fong, the Pahang and Federal director-generals of Rela, the home minister and the government as defendants.
"(We) assert that (Fong) used the weapon on the material date without the authorisation of Rela ... and against the present laws and regulations, given that the said Rela weapon was supplied by the police specifically and exclusively for Rela activities," said the authorities in their response.
"... the injury and loss sustained by (Murali) was a direct consequence of the wrongful actions of (Fong) and/or contributed by the actions and/or negligence of (Murali)," they added.
Authorities were 'negligent'
In the incident on Dec 26, 2003, Fong is alleged to have shot Janaratan and wounded Murali, 28, who is also a Rela member, with a shot gun when the brothers threatened to file a police report over the accident.
Fong, 51, who was with his sister at the time of the incident, claimed that he acted in self-defense when the duo allegedly tried to attack him.
At a press conference yesterday, Sivanesan said his clients were pursuing the civil suit in order to prevent such incidents from happening to other individuals and families.
In the suit filed with the Temerloh High Court on May 8, Murali and his father are also claiming damages for the authorities' alleged negligence in granting Fong, whom they described as 'incompetent', membership in Rela.
They also blamed the authorities for Fong's 'unreasonable actions' and his possession and discharging of a firearm.
On Aug 30, in their defence statement to lawyer A Sivanessan's writ of summons, the authorities said Fong Weng Fu, who is now on trial for murder, acted on his own and outside the powers and knowledge of Rela.
Sivanesan is representing the family of the deceased. Janaratan's brother Murali Balan, who was also injured in the incident, and their father K Ramasamy have filed a civil suit claiming for more than RM1.7 million in damages.
The suit named Fong, the Pahang and Federal director-generals of Rela, the home minister and the government as defendants.
"(We) assert that (Fong) used the weapon on the material date without the authorisation of Rela ... and against the present laws and regulations, given that the said Rela weapon was supplied by the police specifically and exclusively for Rela activities," said the authorities in their response.
"... the injury and loss sustained by (Murali) was a direct consequence of the wrongful actions of (Fong) and/or contributed by the actions and/or negligence of (Murali)," they added.
Authorities were 'negligent'
In the incident on Dec 26, 2003, Fong is alleged to have shot Janaratan and wounded Murali, 28, who is also a Rela member, with a shot gun when the brothers threatened to file a police report over the accident.
Fong, 51, who was with his sister at the time of the incident, claimed that he acted in self-defense when the duo allegedly tried to attack him.
At a press conference yesterday, Sivanesan said his clients were pursuing the civil suit in order to prevent such incidents from happening to other individuals and families.
In the suit filed with the Temerloh High Court on May 8, Murali and his father are also claiming damages for the authorities' alleged negligence in granting Fong, whom they described as 'incompetent', membership in Rela.
They also blamed the authorities for Fong's 'unreasonable actions' and his possession and discharging of a firearm.
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