AGC orders Durian Tunggal police shooting probed as murder
Police investigation into the fatal shooting of three suspected robbers in Durian Tunggal, Malacca, last month has been reclassified as a murder case.
This followed the Attorney-General's Chambers’ instruction (AGC) today after examining a report submitted by the police on the case.
Police investigation into the fatal shooting of three suspected robbers in Durian Tunggal, Malacca, last month has been reclassified as a murder case.
This followed the Attorney-General's Chambers’ instruction (AGC) today after examining a report submitted by the police on the case.
"AGC has been referred a report on the case involving three men who were shot dead by the police in Malacca.
"Based on the briefing and recommendations submitted, AGC agrees and has directed that the investigation be reclassified under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
"The chambers’ preliminary review found that several further actions still need to be taken by the police to complete the investigation before any final decision can be made," it said in a statement.
On Nov 24, the police shot and killed the men, aged between 24 and 29, after one of them allegedly used a machete to attack a police officer in an oil palm plantation in Durian Tunggal.
Malacca police chief Dzulkhair Mukhtar defended his team’s actions, alleging that the incident caused a corporal, in his early 30s, to suffer severe injuries to his left arm.
However, lawyers representing the men's families rejected the police’s version of events, with counsel Rajesh Nagarajan urging that the police officers who fatally shot the trio be charged with murder.
'Why no arrest?'
In response to the AGC’s announcement today, Rajesh questioned why the police have yet to arrest the officers involved in the shooting.
According to him, police would normally arrest and seek a remand against any suspect they are investigating for murder.
"So why has no arrest been made in this case despite it being reclassified under Section 302?
"Why has no one been remanded? The (alleged) murders occurred on Nov 24; today is already Dec 16, which is already more than three weeks.
"What are you waiting for? Activists and lawyers had to work very hard to push and beg for authorities to take action. Why are these police officers getting such special treatment?" he asked.
Rajesh added that it was illogical to have the police investigating their own and urged for an external enforcement body to monitor the agency.
