KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — Since the Criminal Investigation Unit for Deaths in Custody (USJKT) was established in January last year, the number of deaths in police custody decreased by 48 per cent in 2022 or 24 cases, compared to 46 in the previous year.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said of all the death cases investigated last year, USJKT found two cases with criminal elements, one involving a case in Taiping, Perak which has been charged and is now being tried, while the other case in Kelantan is still being investigated.
In addition, six cases have been referred to the Coroner's Court with four of them in the midst of inquest proceedings while the other two are still pending.
"USJKT will also present the report findings, investigations and developments of each custody death in meetings with Suhakam (Human Rights Commission of Malaysia) and EAIC (Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission), which are being held every three months.
"These meetings are aimed at implementing a system of checks and balances functions for the investigation on deaths of individuals in police custody and to improve the management of police detainees," he said.
Shamsul Anuar was speaking during the briefing to Bakri MP Tan Hong Pin, at the Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat earlier today, on steps taken by KDN in managing cases of death in police custody.
Through the establishment of USJKT, various improvements to the standard operating procedures were implemented, including lock-up inspections, closed circuit television (CCTV) monitoring of lock-ups and so forth.
— Bernama
