The Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED) has questioned the independence of the police in conducting investigations into the disappearance of social activist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh.
It said this in response to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun’s remarks that Saiful Bahari, a key witness in the disappearance of Amri, was not a policeman but a civilian working with the police.
The IGP also said the police investigations into the disappearance of Amri and Koh had been referred to the deputy public prosecutor (DPP).
“Mohamad Fuzi’s response further erodes public confidence in the police. He and his officers are suspects.
“We hope the DPP will join us and remind Mohamad Fuzi what police recruits are taught from day one – suspects can’t investigate themselves,” CAGED said in a statement Thursday (April 25).
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), in its inquiry into the disappearance of Amri and several others, held on April 3 that the activist was a victim of enforced disappearance.
It named Bukit Aman’s Special Branch as responsible for his abduction, saying this was based on the testimony of Amri’s wife, Norhayati Mohd Ariffin.
Norhayati had testified that a Special Branch officer from Perlis, Sergeant Shamzaini Mohd Daud, told her on the night of May 12, 2018, that it was the Special Branch in Kuala Lumpur which carried out the abduction.
Saiful was supposed to testify at the inquiry as well but failed to show up, prompting Suhakam to accuse the police of not cooperating.
However, Fuzi said it was unfair to accuse the police of lacking the initiative to locate witnesses as they had tried without success.
CAGED also called on Fuzi to answer six points which remained unanswered during the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) inquiry if he wanted to “halt the daily erosion” of the public’s confidence in the police.
It asked why the investigation officer (IO) claimed he did not know the owner of the Toyota Vios and did not show the eyewitness photo of the Toyota Vios owner for potential identification,
It also asked why the IO only admitted that Saiful was the owner of the Toyota Vios after being questioned by lawyers.
CAGED questioned why the IO didn’t claim that he didn’t know Saiful’s occupation.
It also wanted to know why there were contradictory answers pertaining to Saiful’s occupation by the IO and the assistant superintendent of police (ASP) in the Special Branch.
The IO said Saiful was an “administrative assistant” at a police centre in Kuala Lumpur whereas Saiful’s supervisor at the Bukit Aman Special Branch said he was a low-level general handyman.
In addition, CAGED wanted to know more about Saiful’s leave of absence for 54 days.
It also lamented the inaction of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Twenty-two days on, they have not appointed an independent task force to properly investigate and charge the culprits responsible.
“By refusing to suspend Mohamad Fuzi, they have caused further erosion in public confidence in the police,” it said.
CAGED also expressed its dismay at PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s silence on the matter.