BY CHARLES SANTIAGO

A grieving Natthanan and Yanika console each other outside the South Klang police headquarters yesterday. ― Malay Mail pic
FEBRUARY 11 — Two hundred forty two people walked into police lockups alive but left in body bags since 2000. This is according to Malaysia National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).
S. Balamurugan is number 243.
I welcome investigations by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) and Suhakam into Balamurugan’s death in police custody.
These inquiries must be public hearings and the findings must also be made available to the public.
But there is one glitch here: the recommendations by these national bodies are not binding. They may remain good only on paper but may never be enforced.
As such, how do we ensure justice is served to the grieving family?
How do we convince the family and the public that those who were responsible for Balamurugan’s death will be punished?
More so as, despite the hue and cry, no police officer has been suspended? And neither has the police chief responded. Read more