Day: May 24, 2017

Task force wants inquest into fifth case of custodial death

Coordinator

Source: FMT News

Task force chairman P Ramasamy says it’s time for an independent inquiry into the police force after a father of four dies in lock-up at Bukit Mertajam police station. Pic from FMT News.

GEORGE TOWN: A Penang task force on custodial deaths has asked for an inquest into the death of a drug abuse suspect at the Bukit Mertajam police station.

Task force chairman P Ramasamy said the latest death in police custody involved 39-year-old lorry driver Mohd Izham Abdul Rahman, who died on Apr 27.

According to Ramasamy, Izham was arrested on Apr 25 and sent to the intensive care ward at Bukit Mertajam Hospital. He died the next day due to breathing difficulties (sesak nafas).

“There seems to be no abating in such cases of death in police custody. To date, this brings the total who died in custody in the country (this year) to five people,” Ramasamy told reporters on the sidelines of the state assembly today. Read more →

IGP: Cops probing group for linking authorities in cases of missing activists

Coordinator

Source: The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 ― Police are investigating a group for alleging that the authorities are involved in several cases of missing activists, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today.

Khalid said the matter is being investigated under Section 504 (b) of the Penal Code, which deals with the intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

“This is a serious allegation and we will not allow them to take this opportunity to make baseless accusations.

“If you have evidence, bring it to us and we will take action. Don’t try to ‘spin’ the situation by making it seem as though the authorities are involved,” he said to reporters during a press conference held at the Federal police headquarters today. Read more →

Amnesty criticises two ‘secretive executions’, calls for moratorium on death penalty

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Source: The Malay Mail Online

Amnesty International Malaysia Executive Director Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu said that by providing limited notice, the authorities are also denying the convicts a chance to seek further review of their cases. — Picture by Siow Saw Feng for the MMO.

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Amnesty International Malaysia criticised prison authorities for executing two men earlier today at the Sungai Buloh prison in a secretive manner.

The NGO also demanded the government to establish a moratorium on carrying out death penalties.

In a statement, Amnesty said that 48-year-old Yong Kar Mun, who was convicted of discharging a firearm during robbery, and another individual convicted of murder, were both executed at 5.30am today.

Yong’s execution was allegedly carried out with limited notice, with the family only being informed of the execution less than 24 hours before it was carried out, while no information has been made available on the second convict who was also executed.

“The secretive way through which the Malaysian authorities have been carrying out executions is plain cruel. In these and previous executions, the authorities have added considerable distress to the prisoners and their families and shown blatant disregard for international law and standards ­­— it is high time this practice stopped,” Amnesty International Malaysia Executive Director Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu said. Read more →

PAS Youth asks if DAP supports LGBT over involvement in axed pride march

Coordinator

Source: The Malay Mail Online

Taylor’s University had explained that it cancelled LGBT awareness event at its campus because the organisers did not obtain its approval. — AFP pic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 ― PAS Youth asked today whether its former ally DAP supports the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement, pointing to one of its members’ involvement in a now-cancelled public awareness campaign.

The Islamist party wing also urged Muslims to question whether Opposition pact Pakatan Harapan can ensure the “strength and sanctity” of Islam.

“PAS Youth questions if DAP too approve of the LGBT considering the involvement of Subang DAP Socialist Youth’s organising secretary in Pelangi Campaign? Read more →