Suhakam recommends inquest into detainee Parthiban's death in lockup

PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has recommended that an inquest be carried out following the death of K. Parthiban at Malacca Hospital following detention at the Central Malacca police lockup on May 22.
In a statement, today, Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail (pix) said the recommendation came after the body had concluded its independent investigations into the death of the suspected gang leader who was held for 21 days from May 2 under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (PCA 1959).
"Although the deceased died in hospital, he was under police custody at the time of his death, and accordingly, his death is classified as a death in police custody," he said.
Razali said Suhakam had recorded 24 statements during this investigation in accordance with sections 4(1) and 12 of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999.
"Suhakam identified unresolved issues concerning the delivery of medical attention in lock up vis-à-vis custodial deaths, and is of the view that little improvement has been made in police procedures for dealing with the delivery of medical attention for persons in police custody."
Based on testimonies from 24 witnesses including the police and medical officers, Razali said investigations revealed that the deceased, a suspected gang leader was not in good health but had refused medical treatment at the Central Malacca police station initially.
"The police were not immediately aware that the deceased was a diabetic patient but were subsequently informed by him.
"Suhakam was informed that there was an order for the deceased to receive treatment at the Malacca Hospital, but the police escorting unit were of the view that the order was only for serious medical cases.
"As his condition was not deemed to be serious enough by the police, the deceased was taken to two different clinics.
"Suhakam notes that there the medical officer at Klinik Kesihatan Peringgit did not have a medical record of the deceased from the police and the deceased was not taken to his follow up appointment set by the medical officer," he said adding that the deceased was interviewed six times.
Expressing regret, Razali also pointed out despite Suhakam's plethora of previous reports, recommendations and proposals to assist the authorities to protect the health and safety of detainees, many of these have not been implemented or have been ignored.
"Suhakam re-emphasises that if there are doubts concerning the health, welfare or medication for a detainee, the police are obliged to seek a professional medical opinion as repeatedly highlighted by us in response to previous deaths in custody."
In addition to the recommendation for an inquest, Razali also called on the Home Ministry, police, Health Ministry and Finance Ministry to ensure that Regulation 10 of the 1953 Lock-up Rules is implemented by providing adequate budget, man-power and equipment; as well as to establish custodial medical teams in all lock ups.