<strong>GEORGE TOWN</strong>: Inquiries to the attorney-general (AG) and the Health Ministry on the status of investigations into six custodial deaths here this year have been met with silence.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy said he had sent letters to the AG's Chambers and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam about a month ago on the issue but has yet to receive any reply.
"This is a serious issue as deaths in custody should not happen in Malaysia," he told a press conference today after announcing the state has set up a task force on custodial deaths.
The task force is aimed at monitoring such incidents and to provide legal assistance if required and is chaired by Ramasamy.
This comes after the latest custodial death of lorry driver Agin Raj Sunmarkkan Naidu, 29, who died on June 7 after being arrested on June 2, with his death making it six cases this year.
Meanwhile, state housing committee chairman and task force member Jagdeep Singh pointed out Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) required an inquiry to be conducted by a magistrate in the event of a death in custody.
He said the law requires such action to be taken and urged the AG to be forthcoming on the matter.
"The task force will be writing to seek an explanation from the AG on the status of the cases vis a vis Section 334 of the CPC," he said in the same media conference.