BY: HAFIZAN TAIB
PUTRAJAYA, MAY 15: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) held a public hearing proceeding to identify the cause of S.Balamurugan’s death in order to determine if it was related to any misconduct by the police.
Its Executive Officer, Ahmad Razif Mohd Sidek said, the proceeding was chaired by EAIC Chairman, Datuk Yaacob Md Sam together with several commissioners and assisted by EAIC senior officials as investigative officer.
For the purpose of investigation, EAIC invited the deceased’s family, the police, Malaysian Bar Council, Suhakam Malaysia, Home Ministry and other stakeholders to attend.
“A task force was formed in the investigation to identify any police misconduct in handling detainees as per Section 24 Act 700.
Elaborating further, he said EAIC identified the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which brought about the incidence and the person responsible if a misconduct had occurred.
He said, improvements or amendments to the regulations, methods, SOP or mechanism to ensure the incident does not recur will be recommended.
“It is also to do everything necessary to fullfil its function in this death investigation, to provide a report on the result of the investigation and to provide recommendations on it,” he said.
Balamurugan was detained at Klang Utara District Police Headquarters, Selangor, last February 7 and died in custody.
A total of 55 witnesses were expected to be called in the proceeding which is held from today to May 19, June 5 to 9, July 10 to 14 and 24 to 28.
For further information and developments on this case, the public can browse EAIC website at www.eaic.gov.my or its social platform (facebook and twitter) at eaicofficial.
EAIC’s public hearing identifies Balamurugan’s cause of death
