Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Kugan Ananthan: Police, please show some respect and do not impede his funeral

What the police is doing is very wrong? It is disrespectful to the deceased and his family and friends, and other concerned Malaysians who want to pay respects and be there for his funeral.

Kugan Ananthan - the latest victim of torture and death in police custody.

Kugan, 22, who was detained on Jan 15 at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya on suspicion of being involved in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang, died while being questioned on Jan 20. - Malaysiakini, 27/1/2009 Police warn against Kugan funeral procession

Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail said police had shown him pictures of the body taken by relatives.

kugan ananthan funeral 230109"We agreed that the incident be classified as murder as there were bruises on the body," he told the New Straits Times.

"If investigations reveal that he died from being assaulted, then those responsible will be charged with murder." - Malaysiakini, 25/1/2009 - Bar Council Wants Independent Probe



Rather than suppressing any funeral procession for this latest alleged victim of police brutality and torture, the police should be facilitating to ensure that the funeral procession and ceremony proceeds peacefully without any hitches.

Remember, this is Malaysia - and it is common to see funeral processions along our roads as bodies are taken from homes to places of worship...places of cremation/burial. There is never a question of restricting numbers of persons/bereavers who take part in these funeral procession.

Hence, I do not understand the Malaysian police behavior in this instance - blocking off roads possibly to prevent family and friends to arrive and accompany the body of the deceased, possibly arresting persons for reasons like 'illegal assembly', etc. Is it because it is the police that have been implicated as the alleged killers of this person... alleged 'murderers' of this person.

I do hope that the Prime Minister...the Home Minister..maybe even call off the police (who may be too emotional considering the allegations levied against them) - and allow the funeral procession/activities of this person, allegedly killed in custody by the police, to proceed peacefully and without incident.

In fact, it would be good if the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and other concerned persons do come and be a part of the funeral proceedings - not just to be there in solidarity with the family of the deceased, but also to voice their protest against torture and violence that have allegedly resulted in the death ('murder') of this Malaysian.

Police should block traffic, as they normally do for other funeral processions, and allow funeral proceedings to be carried out smoothly.

The police have closed all roads leading to University Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya in anticipation of a funeral procession for Kugan Ananthan.

The procession from UMMC to a Hindu cemetery some 20 kilometres away in Puchong is expected to draw a large number of people.

The procession is organised as a protest against police brutality, the latest of which resulted in the death of Kugan while in police custody.

Kugan, 22, who was detained on Jan 15 at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya on suspicion of being involved in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang, died while being questioned on Jan 20.

Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar yesterday issued a warning against turning Kugan's funeral into a political rally.

He also warned those attending the funeral not to participate in any illegal gathering or carry banners and posters.

Hundreds of people have started gathering at the UMMC for the procession to kick off at 2pm. The entire place is also packed with police personnel. - Malaysiakini, 28/1/2009 - All roads to UMMC closed

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