Two DAP MPs call for independent inquest into death of Nigerian in Immigration custody

KUALA LUMPUR: Two DAP lawmakers have called for an independent inquiry to be established to look into the death of a Nigerian doctorate student at an Immigration Department depot in Kuala Lumpur.

Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto said an autopsy report was not enough.

She said the standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Immigration must be made known in order to shed light on the death of the doctorate student.

"It has to be improved and we have to study the current SOP. No one from Immigration, whether top or bottom, is above the law," she told reporters during a press conference in Parliament on Thursday (July 18).

"It is a system that has been around for six decades. So the system has been complacent. There has been virtually no accountability in the past," she added.

Kasthuri also said "overzealous" enforcement must be looked into seriously as this was a matter that could affect the reputation of Malaysia worldwide.

She said that if the treatment of undocumented foreigners did not improve in local Immigration depots, then Malaysia could make headlines as a country with no regard for human rights and the rule of law.

Kasthuri also lodged a police report over the matter in order to trigger an investigation into the death of the 33-year-old Thomas Orhions Ewansiha.

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, who was also present during the press conference, said with the report lodged, the police was now compelled to carry out an investigation.

"We hope that with this police report, there will be an actual inquest," he added.

Rayer also pointed out that this was the first death in custody since the Pakatan Harapan took Federal power last May 9.

"It reflects badly on the government. If he died of natural ailment, then we can't hold anyone responsible.

"But if there's any foul play, the only way to find out is by holding a public inquest, and that needs a police report," he added.

The Nigerian is believed to have died from a seizure while asleep at the Immigration detention depot in Bukit Jalil on July 9.