Press Statement
Righting the wrongs of the past necessary for PDRM in the new Malaysia
23 May 2018
Lawyers for Liberty wishes to congratulate Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun on the peaceful 14th General Election and subsequent handover of power, and his role in ensuring this.
We further welcome his recent announcement that he will look into the claims made by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull that he was stalked while in the United States after MACC’s initial investigation into 1MDB was impeded.
Nevertheless, as we turn a new page in Malaysia’s history, it is necessary that the same reforms that are being carried out by the Pakatan Harapan government are also being emulated in the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). There now exists an unprecedented opportunity for the PDRM to shake off their tarnished image under the Najib Razak administration, and the IGP can do so by reopening investigations into previously-unresolved cases that demand answers.
We call upon the IGP to reopen investigations or act on the following:
- Allegations made by MACC Chief Commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull beyond being stalked while in the United States (receiving threats, bullets in the mail while still in Malaysia, the possibility that he would be arrested over accusations of conspiring to topple the government, etc.);
- Mysterious deaths linked to the investigation of 1MDB, including the murder of AmBank founder and banker Hussain Najadi;
- The murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu;
- The death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock;
- The disappearances of Pastor Raymond Koh, Amri Che Mat, and other potential victims of enforced disappearances;
- Enforcing the Federal Court order and reuniting Indira Gandhi with her child.
If these unresolved cases were indeed unduly influenced by political motivations, it is only apt that these injustices be corrected and for the truth to be uncovered. By doing so, PDRM can repair the long-lost trust deficit in the ability of the police force in handling politically-charged cases and this can only benefit Malaysia further.
We trust that IGP Mohamad Fuzi Harun will do the right thing for Malaysia, and correct the past wrongs, so that we can have closure on these cases and move forward.
Released by:
Eric Paulsen
Executive Director
Lawyers for Liberty