Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said they had launched investigations on all custodial death cases and submitted the reports to the coroner. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 23, 2015.Penang police have assured the public that they will investigate all death in custody cases, after the state recorded three such incidents this month.Last year, nine out of 14 custodial death cases in the country were recorded in Penang.State police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said police had launched investigations on all of the cases and submitted the reports to the coroner."So far, we have not taken any further action on the cases last year. We are still waiting for instruction from the coroner."If there was police negligence involved, we will take those responsible to court... we will not compromise," he told reporters today at the state police headquarters.In a statement on Wednesday, two civil rights groups urged Rahim to take proactive steps to put a stop to cases of custodial deaths.This month alone, Penang recorded three custodial deaths on January 17, 18 and 21. Two of them involved prison inmates while the third involved a man who was detained at a police lockup.Rahim said the police would also investigate cases that happened at the prison.Meanwhile, on the murder of a businessman from Bukit Mertajam with the title “datuk seri", he said the police were still waiting for the DNA report from the Perak Hospital."Although the hospital has given the confirmation, I will not comment on this case until we get the DNA report. This is the procedure."So far, we have not made any arrests or identified any suspects," he said.When asked if the murder could be linked to secret society activities, Rahim declined to comment.The datuk seri, identified as Law Yeong Chow, 43, was last seen coming out of a foot reflexology centre in Bukit Mertajam, Penang on January 13.It was reported that several people pulled up in two cars and bundled him into one of the vehicles before driving off.His body, which was badly burnt, was found in a jungle in Lumut, Perak on January 16.Earlier, Rahim launched the “Peace Lady" Amanita scooter squad – a patrol unit of policewomen aimed at reaching out to local women, namely housewives, to advocate neighbourhood safety. – January 23, 2015.
David Jackson, USA TODAY 7:38 a.m. EST January 23, 2015King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Obama in 2009.(Photo: Hassan Ammar, AP)
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