Death of Japanese in lock-up puts police station under scrutiny
(The Malay Mail) – THE standard operating procedure for police investigations and detention of suspects has become more pressing with the fourth death in custody in three weeks.
The death of a 33-year-old Japanese man in a lock-up at the Subang USJ8 police station on Saturday has also increased calls for an independent oversight body to investigate police misconduct.
In the latest case, Nobuhiro Matsusthita, was found hanging from an iron bar of the lock-up with his shirt.
Police had described him as troublesome and he was the only detainee in the cell.
The events leading to his death prompted former inspector-general of police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, to suggest that the standard operating procedure was neglected.
Speaking to The Malay Mail, he raised pertinent questions:
• Did the policemen take turns to monitor the CCTV in the cell 24 hours?
• Why wasn’t Nobuhiro referred to a psychiatrist when he showed abnormal signs?
• Why was he placed alone in a cell when it was clear he needed medical help?
Crime watchers said it was evident that police officers at the USJ8 station were not adept with the standard operating procedure as it was the third death in custody there.
Observers say action should be taken against any officers for negligence after failing to adhere to standard operating procedures set under the lock-up rules.
The first involved A. Kugan, whose case in 2009 shocked the nation followed by Chang Chin Te, who died early this year.
They said police were quick to declare “no foul play” after death in custody instead of acknowledging that a lock-up is meant to secure suspects.
Subang Jaya police chief ACP Yahaya Ramli said Nobuhiro was detained for trespassing into a university here on June 2. He pulled out a four-inch knife when confronted by an auxillary policeman, but surrendered after he was cornered by two more cops.
He was initially placed in a lock-up with several other detainees, but had to be moved out as he was showing abnormal signs and disturbing other detainees.
Yahaya said his men had patrolled the lock-up at 3am and saw Nobuhiro sleeping. An hour later, they found him hanging from the iron bar.
He said Nobuhiro’s family had told the Japanese Embassy that he was suffering from mental illness.
The Japanese Embassy was informed about the arrest and a translator was sent to speak to Nobuhiro on the same day.
However police said they needed a second translator as the first one couldn’t understand him.
Nobuhiro’s death brings this year’s custodial death toll to seven under six months.
Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, said Nobuhiro’s death has raised the profile of calls for the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) into an international one.
