KUALA LUMPUR: The police are open to adopting measures to prevent custodial deaths, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"We need to support all efforts to protect suspects or convicts in the lock-up. I'm pleased to say the Home Ministry and inspector-general of police support the idea," he said at the Malaysian Human Rights Commission's (Suhakam) 25th silver jubilee celebration.
Present were Suhakam chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Hussain and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
However, Anwar said no one should be judged before the courts determined their culpability in any case.
He also said proper procedures were important to prevent the perception that every custodial death was due to police abuse.
"I'm speaking from experience. At that time (I) wasn't even charged, (I) was beaten half dead. So if people talk about abuse or deaths in the lock-up, there's no need to convince me.
"Because I know what we feel. Feeling helpless when attacked almost to death. For this reason, we need to support all efforts necessary to protect suspects in the lock-up," he said in recalling the incident that left him with a "black eye" in 1998.
He urged Suhakam and the police to revisit this issue, conduct thorough studies and review procedures in handling detainees.
"Suhakam should revisit this issue, discuss it with the police and visit the lock-ups. I can join you because I am familiar with some of the areas," he said.
Meanwhile, he took a swipe at the opposition's statement that the government was tyrannical and did not discuss the 3R (religion, race and royalty) issues.
He said the allegation was untrue because the government had allowed matters involving religion and race to be discussed.
"If you want to talk about Islam, or other religions, you want to talk about race, you're not satisfied, you want to protest, that's all allowed.
"What is not allowed is incitement, incitement to violence or causing fights between races. For whatever reason, even if I am attacked by the international media, I will not tolerate it to ensure the safety of the people and the country," he said.