COMMENT | Custodial deaths: 12 questions for police’s cosmeticians

COMMENT | Seven individuals have died in police custody in the first five weeks of 2022. We know this thanks to an announcement practice introduced by the police this year.

Credit for the practice must be given to the public who pressed for reform of the police force. Public pressure led to the creation of a special unit to “investigate” deaths in police custody. The unit began operations in January this year.

The ‘Unit Siasatan Jenayah dan Kematian dalam Tahanan (USJKT)’ is in the Integrity and Standards Department (JIPS), Bukit Aman police headquarters, led by director Azri bin Ahmad. We commend him for rapidly announcing the seven deaths.

According to his announcements, two of the victims expired in hospitals. We hope this does not mean that the police are evading responsibility for these deaths.

Do the unit’s formation and the string of announcements show the public that...