EAIC said its study would include a field study of selected lock-ups across the country where there had been cases of custodial deaths. (Reuters pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) says a study into custodial deaths is ongoing and the findings will be given to the government once it is completed.

This comes after Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto had questioned whether the commission would take any action on the cases of three custodial deaths in the past 40 days.

“The EAIC takes seriously the reported cases of deaths in custody, including all three cases,” it said today.

EAIC said its study would involve a collection of data and statistics on deaths in custody among enforcement agencies under its supervision.

It also said a comparative study of lock-up laws and regulations of other countries would be conducted.

It would include a field study of selected lock-ups across the country where there had been cases of custodial deaths.

“The results of the study will be given to the government for recommendations to improve the procedures for handling detainees in lock-ups of enforcement agencies,” it said.

EAIC added that every investigation into deaths in custody by the commission would be independent and transparent, based on the investigative powers provided under the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009.

It was reported that 21-year-old Surendran Shanker had died at the Kluang hospital two days ago, less than a month after he was moved to the Simpang Renggam Prison.

Surendran’s death comes just a month after that of cow’s milk vendor A Ganapathy on April 18 and security guard S Sivabalan on May 20. Both of them died in hospital after being held at the Gombak police station.

Source : Free Malaysia Today