Monday September 10, 2012

Ministry may review treatment of suspects who surrender themselves

TANJUNG KARANG: The Home Ministry may review the police's standard operating procedure when detaining those who surrender themselves, said its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said the SOP had not been reviewed for quite some time and would be reviewed if there was a necessity.

“We will need the police's full cooperation and their feedback if the SOP is to be reviewed,” he told reporters after launching the Tanjung Karang Umno division meeting yesterday.

Hishammuddin was responding to a statement by Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Gan Ping Sieu who had expressed his intention to write to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar to oppose the handcuffing of Ong Sing Yee, 19, when she turned herself in for stepping on a photograph of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Hishammuddin said the police had followed SOP when the teenager surrendered herself last Wednesday.

“The police detained her on proper grounds and they did not breach the SOP. Let this be a reminder to those who even think of committing an act like that,” he said.

In IPOH, Ismail said police have completed investigations into the Janji Demokrasi illegal gathering held on the eve of National Day.

The IGP said the investigation papers would be handed over to the Attorney-General's Chambers today.

“It is for the A-G's Chambers to decide on the next course of action,” he told reporters after closing the IGP Cup football tournament at the North brigade General Operations Force in Ulu Kinta.

In Kuala Lumpur, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, Janji Bersih co-organiser Hishamuddin Rais and Batu MP Tian Chua had their statements recorded at the Dang Wangi police station yesterday.

Tian Chua said the police had asked him about the organisers and who invited him.

“I answered some of the questions to the best of my knowledge without incriminating anyone,” he said.

Mohamad Sabu said he was questioned about the opposition leaders who attended, as well as asked about who organised the gathering and how many people attended it.

National laureate Datuk A. Samad Said and Janji Bersih co-organiser Maria Chin Abdullah were previously called in to have their statements taken on Sept 6.

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