Anwar Ibrahim's MADANI Government is yet to CRIMINALIZE Torture committed by law enforcement > this means that this Government(and previous government) still does not think that TORTURE, beatings, sexual torture, etc is A CRIME - IT must be a more serious CRIME especially when committed by Public Officers, Police, Prison Officers, MACC Officers, Immigration Officers - all Government Officers under the Prime Minister and/or Government. First STEP - criminalize it making it clear that the Malaysian Government takes the position that it is a WRONG - a serious CRIME.
Enforced Disappearance is a also a SERIOUS CRIME, more so it is a CRIME committed by government/State officers either by the officers themselves, or with the support of government officers..(this was recommended by SUHAKAM in the 2 Public Inquiries on Enforced Disappearance) - does Anwar think it is NOT a SERIOUS Crime? SHAMEFUL...
SO too is EXTRAJUDICIAL Killing...
Enact law criminalising enforced disappearance, says PH's former deputy de facto law minister.
Thus, for cases of assault, Malaysia is still using the laws applied to anyone who cause hurt(s. 323 Penal Code) and grievous hurt(s.325) but there must be a MORE serious crime with higher deterrent sentence when the perpetrator is a public officer or law enforcement officer, and the crime was committed during the 'alleged' carrying out of public duty... We look at the Court of Appeal judgment of then IGP who TORTURED and caused Anwar to suffer a black eye...
We would, however, like to take this opportunity to remind the lower courts that they should take cases of police officers assaulting anyone very seriously. When a police officer, be he of whatever rank, is found guilty of assaulting a member of the public and more so of an arrested person as in this case, the courts should send a message of the public abhorrence of such acts - by coming down hard on and nothing short of a custodial sentence, even for a first offender, would suffice. - Shaik Daud Ismail JCA, TAN SRI ABDUL RAHIM MOHD NOOR v. PP, COURT OF APPEAL, KUALA LUMPUR [2001] 4 CLJ 9
FIRST CRIMINALIZE such offences in Malaysian LAW. Later we may look at the other problems in the administration of criminal justice - 'selective non-investigation', NFA(No Further Action) decisions, selective non-prosecution > the non-charging in CRIMINAL courts, and the 'poor' prosecution that results in NO conviction...??? To prevent 'difficulty in securing evidence', we have asked for CCTV everywhere in government law enforcement premises, detention places and also PRISONS, the use of 'BODY-CAM' for all officers whilst the work, when they arrest > all to ensure that the LAW is followed, and VICTIM rights are protected >> It has started in Malaysia > but still a long way to go...WHY? NOT PRIORITY?
A total of 42 deaths in custody were recorded in 2025, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the figure comprised eight cases in prison and 34 under police care including 22 deaths while under police detention and 12 in police lock-ups. - Star, 5/2/2026
The 40-year-old tow-truck operator lodged a police report on Tuesday, claiming that he was beaten multiple times during interrogation. According to Malaysiakini, he alleged that at least two officers beat him on the head with their footwear, while another twisted a pencil between his toes, causing severe pain. “My hands were handcuffed behind my back and were stepped on by several officers until I screamed in pain,” the man alleged in a police report. “At the same time, another police officer stepped on both my legs, leaving marks that are still visible. I was also slapped once by an unidentified person and electrocuted on my right ear by an officer I couldn’t identify because my eyes were covered.” The man claimed the alleged abuse was intended to force a confession from him. According to his report, the officers involved included a Malay and a non-Malay individual. - Malay Mail, 19/3/2026
ONE biggest problem in Malaysia, even during PM Anwar Ibrahim's PH-led Coalition MADANI government is the perceived 'attitude' to PROTECT government law enforcement and/or government agencies and government linked entities, and their Directors and officers - by a policy of selective non-investigation and non-prosecution policy - That is a PUBLIC PERCEPTION > how many public officers to date have successfully charged, tried and convicted for TORTURE and even killing of persons in police or law-enforcement custody? Most of these crimes occur within government establishment, and often in the presence of other public officers/police/MACC/prison officers...
What Malaysia MUST do is to actually CRIMINALISE Torture, providing for a more serious and deterent offence when the alleged perpetrators are PUBLIC OFFICERS and the said TORTURE happened when they were on duty - arrest, detention, investigation, etc...
This is ALSO a demand of the Coalition Against Torture and Death in Custody Malaysia (Gabungan Anti-Penyeksaan dan Kematian dalam Tahanan Malaysia – GAPKTM) when it presented a Memo to the IGP, etc
....calling for the establishment of a permanent independent mechanism between enforcement agencies and prosecutors to prevent custodial death cases from being delayed, neglected, or compromised. An Anti-Torture Act should be enacted to eliminate all forms of torture and death in custody at state institutions.
The CRIMINALIZING of TORTURE is simple - an indication that the Government and MALAYSIA no longer tolerate TORTURE, and perpetrators will be charged, tried and severely punished, if CONVICTED if the criminals are public officers..., then a DETERRENT SENTENCE???
This call also is NOW most relevant for the 100 plus detainees that SUHAKAM found recently were tortured, where there was also 1 DEATH IN CUSTODY
When
Doctor's LIE in letters/documents, should they be DISALLOWED to
Practice as Doctors in Malaysia? Should he be also charged for MURDER,
obstruction of justice, false documents?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8 JUNE 2026*FOUR FAMILIES DEMAND JUSTICE: COALITION URGES ATTORNEY GENERAL AND IGP TO END IMPUNITY IN CUSTODIAL DEATH CASES*PUTRAJAYA – The Coalition Against Torture and Death in Custody Malaysia (Gabungan Anti-Penyeksaan dan Kematian dalam Tahanan Malaysia – GAPKTM), together with family members of four victims who died while under the custody or care of state institutions, today submitted a memorandum to the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police demanding immediate action to secure justice after years of delays, and lack of accountability.The memorandum highlights four cases involving:• Syed Mohd Azlan Syed Mohamed Nur, who died in police custody in Johor in 2014 after suffering 61 documented injuries.• J. Soosaimanicckam, a Royal Malaysian Navy cadet whose death was ruled a homicide by the High Court in 2024.• Rafi Ullah, a Pakistani refugee who died in Sungai Buloh Prison in 2021 amid allegations of torture and whose promised inquest has yet to commence.• Mohd Zaidi Abdul Hamid, a prisoner who died in 2024 following complications linked to caning injuries and alleged failures in medical treatment.The four families have waited years for answers, accountability, and justice. Despite court findings, official inquiries, recommendations from EAIC, SUHAKAM and other oversight bodies, critical investigations and legal proceedings remain stalled.DEMANDS OF THE FAMILIES1. Justice for Syed Mohd AzlanThe family demands that the Attorney General reopen criminal investigations into evidence destruction and cover-up activities identified by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), and pursue accountability against all officers involved in the incident.2. Justice for J. SoosaimanicckamThe family demands that the Royal Malaysia Police complete its homicide investigation without further delay and submit investigation papers for prosecution recommendations against those responsible.3. Justice for Rafi UllahThe family demands that the Attorney General immediately direct the commencement of a judicial inquest, as previously promised, to establish the circumstances surrounding his death and allegations of torture.4. Justice for Mohd Zaidi Abdul HamidThe family demands an immediate judicial inquest into the circumstances of his death, including the role of caning injuries, adequacy of medical care, and any possible negligence by authorities.CALL FOR SYSTEMIC REFORMBeyond the individual cases, GAPKTM is calling for the establishment of a permanent independent mechanism between enforcement agencies and prosecutors to prevent custodial death cases from being delayed, neglected, or compromised. An Anti-Torture Act should be enacted to eliminate all forms of torture and death in custody at state institutions.The coalition stresses that deaths in custody engage the State's constitutional responsibility to protect life and ensure equal protection under the law. Families of victims must not be left waiting indefinitely while investigations stagnate.Speaking at a press conference at the Attorney General’s office in Putrajaya, GAPKTM’s coordinator Syed Shariff Syed Mohamed Nur said :"Today, four families stand before the Attorney General's Chambers carrying years of grief. They are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for the most basic accountability and upholding the rule of law: that when a person dies in the custody of or at the hand of the State, the truth will be uncovered and those responsible will be held accountable."ABOUT USThe Coalition Against Torture and Death in Custody Malaysia (Gabungan Anti-Penyeksaan dan Kematian dalam Tahanan Malaysia – GAPKTM) is a victim family support group that advocates for elimination of torture, custodial violence and deaths, while promoting accountability, transparency and justice in Malaysia.The coalition is endorsed by Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Association (TBH-ADA), Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET), Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together (EDICT), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and HAYAT. TBH-ADA is the secretariat of the coalition.
See also some earlier relevant posts
SUHAKAM Demands Justice, Transparency and Government Action on Enforced Disappearances
Rights group calls for laws to criminalise enforced disappearance (Malaysiakini) & FMT report
Media Statement – 30/8/2024 (International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances)
SUHAKAM and Parliament Must Investigate Whether Extrajudicial Killings Are ‘Planned’ Murders with no intention of arrest - Improve public perception of law enforcement(Media statement and Sccop report)
Police Officer's Right To Defy Orders to Kill or Torture - Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions. 298 shot dead between 2007 and August 2012.
When police shoot and kill - Minister must apologize and Charge the police killers in court - Let Court decide on guilt or defence. Criminalize extrajudicial killing(with deterent sentence) - A Statement of 18 Groups - Criminalize extrajudicial killing, and charge law enforcement officers involved in the killing in Court, for it is Court that decides guilt and whether any defence including self defence will succeed
Charge the police officers in COURT - no to 'internal disciplinary' procedures or termination for enforced dissapearance cases
Police officers that tortured and killed detainee - what will the AG and the Malaysian government do?
Cepat tindakan kes bunuh lelaki korea, kenapa lambat tuduh polis/pembunuh Syed Mohd Azlan?
Police officers that killed Syed Mohd Azlan, and tried to hide a crime? What happened?
EAIC’S INVESTIGATION FINDINGS ON THE DEATH OF N. DHARMENDRAN IN POLICE CUSTODY
15 Immigration Officers 'Sacked' - not right, just charge them in court? To ensure no 'cover ups'? Deterrence too? Justice demands it..
Families of late cadet, inmates go to AGC seeking justice
NGO says investigations and legal proceedings have been delayed despite court findings and recommendations from oversight bodies.
Supported by the Coalition Against Torture and Death in Custody Malaysia, their memorandum was submitted to the AGC’s headquarters in Putrajaya this morning, addressed to both the inspector-general of police and the attorney-general.
The group demanded that the police promptly complete their murder investigation into the death of naval cadet officer J Soosaimanicckam and submit the probe paper to prosecutors.
They also urged the attorney-general to reopen investigations into alleged cover-ups in the custodial death of Syed Azlan Syed Nur, and for an inquest to be held into the death of refugee Rafi Ullah, a Pakistani inmate who was allegedly tortured before dying in Sungai Buloh prison in 2021.
The families also called for an inquest into the 2024 death of Pokok Sena prison inmate Zaidi Abdul Hamid, after he allegedly developed severe infected wounds following 12 strokes of the cane.
“The four families have waited years for answers, accountability and justice,” the coalition’s coordinator, Syed Shariff Syed Nur, said in a statement.
“Despite the court findings, official inquiries, and recommendations from the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission, Suhakam and other oversight bodies, critical investigations and legal proceedings remain stalled.
“They are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for the most basic level of accountability and for the rule of law to be upheld.”
The group also urged Putrajaya to establish an independent inter-agency mechanism to ensure custodial death cases are thoroughly and immediately investigated.
“It is the state’s constitutional responsibility to protect life and ensure equal protection under the law. Families of victims must not be left waiting indefinitely while investigations stagnate,” the memorandum said. - FMT, 8/6/2026
Malaysia's former police chief Abdul Rahim Noor today was sentenced to a two-month prison term and fined RM2,000 for assaulting sacked deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim while he was in police custody on Sept 20, 1998.
Rahim, however, walked free when Sessions Court judge Akhtar Tahir allowed a stay of execution pending an appeal by Rahim against his sentence and allowed a bail of RM5,000 in one surety.
Appearing calm throughout the proceedings, an immaculately dressed Rahim promptly posted bail and left before reporters could approach him for an interview.
Rahim's counsel K.Kumaraendran filed a notice of appeal to the High Court this morning and said the defence is appealing "on the ground that the sentence does not commensurate with the service he (Rahim) has rendered to the nation and society".
Prosecuting officer Salehuddin Saidin, however, said he would have to refer to the Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah before deciding whether to appeal against the sentence.
"We have to refer to our superior officer (Mohtar) in deciding whether to appeal or not," Salehuddin said.
In passing the sentence, Akhtar said "the court cannot disregard the grave injuries sustained by Anwar".
Anwar, after his arrest, appeared in court with a black eye and said he was beaten while in police custody. A doctor, testifying at the Royal Commission of Enquiry that was set up to investigate Anwar's allegations, said the blows to the head were "potentially lethal".
Describing the assault as "cruel", Akhtar said he "cannot deny the fact that, if not for the Royal Commission, the cruel act (by Rahim) would not have been known".
"The accused, being the police chief, should have acted reasonably even amidst the political tension in the country," Akhtar said.
In the mitigation plea for a minimal sentence, Kumaraendran yesterday told the court that Rahim was under immense pressure because of the massive demonstrations in downtown Kuala Lumpur staged by Anwar's supporters.
Akhtar said the sentence imposed on the ex-chief would be a "lesson to other police officers and the public".
The prosecution, meanwhile, submitted that the court should impose a jail sentence on Rahim as the offence committed by the former police chief is considered "very serious".
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sallehuddin Saidin pointed out that Anwar, handcuffed and blindfolded, was defenceless when he was assaulted by Rahim.
"If this court fails to impose the sentence, it will further erode public confidence on the country's judicial system," Sallehuddin told the court.
In a country where the police enjoy absolute power, this is the first time a former Inspector-General of Police was charged and convicted in a criminal court.
Anwar is currently serving a six-year jail term for corruption and stands trial for sodomy and sexual misconduct. The former finance minister has repeatedly denied all charges and says they were orchestrated by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's aides to topple him from power.- Malaysiakini, 18/4/2001
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