Suaram presses for inquest into lock-up death

GEORGE TOWN: Non-governmental organisation (NGO) Suaram has called for an inquest over the death of a drug addict at the Bayan Baru Central Lockup on Apr 27.
Its secretariat member Ong Jing Cheng said that the deceased Rahamat Md Noor, 56, who was arrested on Apr 22, was found dead inside his cell and the cause of death has been recorded as gastric ulcers.
He said Suaram viewed this matter seriously and pointed out the custodial deaths remained at an alarming level.
"It is important to set up Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)," he reiterated at a press conference outside the police headquarters on Jalan Penang, today.
Present was the deceased's brother Jamil Md Noor, who lodged a police report at the police headquarters at 10am.
Jamil, 47, said his brother did not complain of having gastric to the family when he went back home.
The contract worker said he found his brother's cause of death to be shocking and had since demanded a full explanation.
"I want the police to investigate thoroughly on this matter," he said.
Meanwhile, Suaram also submitted a memorandum to the police over bruises suffered by a 29-year-old detainee, Mohd Hafidan Mokhtarludin when he was detained at the Simpang Ampat police station in March.
The mother of the detainee, Norizan Omar Basir, said her son who was alleged to have committed auto thefts, suffered bruises on his both eyes which she claimed was the result of him being beaten up.
The 51-year-old Norizan said she had lodged a police report on March 17 at the Tasek Mutiara police station over the incident and has yet to receive any development from the officers.
"I visited my son a month ago at the Tapah prison and he complained to me that he could not see clearly and also suffering from migraine," she added.
She expressed hope that her son would receive treatment as soon as possible to ensure the bruises will not become worse.