Will Malek even see a single sen? (Malaysiakini)

Will Malek even see a single sen?

Oct 19, 07 4:06pm

How long would it take for the government to pay ISA detainee Abdul Malek Hussin RM2.5 million in damages awarded in court yesterday? Judging from DAP central committee member Ronnie Liu's experience, the government is likely to drag its feet. Liu was awarded RM21,220 on July 11 last year for injuries suffered at the hands of riot police in 1995 during a squatter demolition exercise in Kampung Taman Aman, Petaling Jaya. “18 months have passed. I have yet to be compensated,” said Liu in a press statement to the media today. Bloodied and bruised Liu mentioned the government’s failure to fulfil the court’s decision in passing in his statement. He also called for action to be taken against those responsible for his and Abdul Malek’s assault. In Liu’s case, he had submitted to the courts that he was beaten by five baton-wielding riot police resulting in injuries to the forearm, collarbone, abdomen and a six-inch laceration on the chin. Abdul Malek on the other hand claimed that he was beaten and sexually assaulted while naked and blind folded. He was awarded RM2.5 million by the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday. In both cases, the courts were convinced that the plaintiffs were assaulted by police personnel. Book those responsible Liu said that it was regrettable that those responsible for the assaults were never brought to book. He called on the government to form a Royal Commission of Inquiry to probe Abdul Malek's allegation of torture and abuse, including the role of then IGP Rahim Mohd Noor. “No amount of money is sufficient to compensate for the losses incurred by the victims and their families,” said Liu, adding that a royal commission would discourage police personnel from engaging similar acts in the future. “If the public continues to be silent on police assaults or tortures, they are shielding the police who breaks the law and justice cannot be upheld,” he added.