KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the death of detainee Noorizwan Zulkefly in custody earlier this month is being investigated under the Penal Code.
He assured the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Oct 27) that there would be no attempt to cover up the case.
Saifuddin Nasution said the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had taken over the investigation and he was committed to providing updates as developments emerged.
"The CID (is on) the case, and a section under the Penal Code has been identified as the basis for the investigation.
"This means there is no effort or attempt to cover up the matter," he said.
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Saifuddin Nasution said he had just been briefed on the case by the police, stressing that the Home Ministry would not tolerate any wrongdoing, including among law enforcement personnel.
"We have never compromised on violations, if any, even when they involve law enforcement agencies.
"If there are developments in the investigation, I will personally make them known," he said.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) had sought an explanation over Noorizwan's death in police custody, citing post-mortem findings that allegedly revealed multiple serious injuries.
Rayer said the family had submitted a memorandum earlier in the day seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding the death.
He claimed that the post-mortem examination revealed six fractured ribs, a spinal injury and bleeding in the brain and intestines.
"What actually happened? Why do incidents like this keep happening?" he asked.
Rayer stressed that he was not blaming the entire police force but said the alleged actions of a small number of personnel warranted scrutiny.
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Meanwhile, Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) questioned the authorities' decision to investigate three lawyers involved in the case, raising concerns about the implications for legal practitioners carrying out their professional duties.
He sought clarification on whether the investigations against the lawyers would continue, arguing that such action could set a troubling precedent.
Saifuddin Nasution said he was not privy to the circumstances that prompted the investigation, including how the lawyers had interacted with officials while accompanying individuals to meet medical specialists.
He stressed that being a lawyer did not automatically exempt an individual from investigation, while cautioning against interpreting the move as an attempt to target legal practitioners involved in exposing alleged police misconduct.
"Let the process take its course. I cannot give an assurance that simply because they are lawyers, the investigation must stop.
"No minister can issue such an instruction. Due process must be allowed to proceed," he said.
When Ramkarpal pointed out that the lawyers were understood to have merely obtained information relating to the post-mortem examination as part of their professional duties, Saifuddin Nasution said he would examine the matter further.
"I will look into it and obtain more complete information," he said.
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Earlier on Tuesday, Noorizwan's family members marched from the National Monument to Parliament to hand over a memorandum calling for justice over his death.
The memorandum also called for the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).
Noorizwan had been detained in connection with investigations under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, as well as Sections 457 and 379 of the Penal Code and was held at the Cheras district police headquarters lockup.
He was referred to Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz in Cheras for treatment on Sept 30 before being pronounced dead at 1.52am on Oct 1.
