PUTRAJAYA, June 6 — None of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at the Bandar Baru Klang police station were functional, the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) public hearing was told today.

This was revealed by Bandar Baru Klang police chief ASP Harun Abu Bakar, who explained that the non-functional CCTVs were meant to deter its officers from stealing certain items from the station.

“When I was first appointed as chief, I was informed that the CCTV is not able to record any movement.

“Only a few officers knew that the CCTV operates as a dummy. It was left there to scare unruly officers from stealing, which happened before,” he said.

Harun also said that the CCTVs were not the properties of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

“The previous tenants of the building operated a gambling den. The CCTVs could have belonged to them instead,” he said.

The EAIC public hearing today was to investigate the case of deceased S. Balamurugan, who died in custody on Feb 7 after suffering alleged multiple beatings from officers attached to the Bandar Baru Klang police station.

Balamurugan, K. Tamilarasan and 17-year-old juvenile Ang Kian Kok were detained at the Bandar Baru Klang police station on Feb 6.

Previously, Tamilarasan and Ang have alleged that the trio suffered multiple beatings during a gruelling interrogation session conducted by the police.

However, all the police officers present during the interrogation session have denied physically abusing them during the public hearing today.

An inspector attached to the Serious Crime Unit (D9), P. Vicknesswaran maintained that he only heard loud noises coming out from the interrogation room on Feb 6.

“I went for a check at the interrogation room after hearing noises. I saw that they were just answering from Inspector T. Mohaneswaran from D9.”

Harun also stressed that violence against inmates is not condoned at the police station.

“I will never allow violence against detainees in my station. In fact, if I had known that D9 officers were present, I will not allow them to interrogate the trio.

“Interrogation cannot happen in my station,” he said.

Yesterday, Tamilarasan told the public hearing that he was beaten with a bamboo stick and an orange-coloured hose pipe, while Balamurugan had suffered repeated slaps, kicks and punches by the police during the interrogation session.

He quoted Mohaneswaran as telling Balamurugan that “outside, you’re the head. But, inside, I am the head”.

Resource : The Malay Mail