The Malaysian Insight

LORRY driver Umar Faruq Abdullah died at the South Klang district police headquarters yesterday in the third case of custodial death reported in two weeks.

Cops said Umar jumped off the second floor of the building where he had been in remand since Wednesday over the theft of a gas cylinder.

An early report said Umar, who was handcuffed with his hands behind his back, being moved from the third to the first floor of the building.

He jumped out of the second floor window during a scuffle with a policeman in which he was trying to escape.

The report noted Umar a record for four previous offences.

Lawyer Manoharan Malayalam representing Umar’s family told The Malaysian Insight the policemen involved in the case should be charged with manslaughter or criminal negligence.

“To me an inquest is a waste of time at this point and the family filing a suit for damages means the government has to pay them which is a waste of resources

“This has to stop immediately so the policemen involved should be sacked and charged right away,” he said

Manoharan said the father of three was arrested at home in Kuala Selangor yesterday.

His wife, Humairah Abdullah visited the police HQ yesterday to bring him food but she was not allowed to meet him.

Manoharan said Humairah was still waiting to see her husband in the building when the ambulance came for whom she later found out was her husband.

Umar’s post-mortem is scheduled this morning.

His death comes after Simpang Renggam prison inmate Surendren Shanker died last week at Kluang Hospital, following complaints of abdominal pain.

A police report filed by a prison official stated Surendren had died of “septic shock with multiple organ failure” but his family suspects foul play.

Surendren’s mother, Kumatahmary Asirvatham, 48, told The Malaysian Insight her son was pronounced dead at the hospital at 12.30am.

Just days before, 43-year-old security guard Sivabalan Subramaniam had died in custody at the Gombak police headquarters.

He was picked up by police from his workplace in Bandar Baru Selayang to assist in an investigation into an extortion case. He died the same day in detention.

Gombak police chief Arifai Tarawe said said Sivabalan was taken into custody at 11.40am, after which he had complained of breathing difficulties 

Police called for an ambulance and medical officers tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at 12.30pm.

Arifai said initial investigations revealed the deceased had a history of heart problems.

It was the second custodial death at the Gombak station, the first being that of A. Ganapathy, who sold milk.

He was arrested on February 24 to assist in investigations into his brother’s alleged crimes. He is said to have spent 12 days in custody before being admitted to hospital.

Ganapathy died of his injuries on April 18 after more than a month in intensive care. – June 4, 2021.