08/06/2026
FOUR FAMILIES DEMAND JUSTICE: COALITION URGES ATTORNEY GENERAL AND IGP TO END IMPUNITY IN CUSTODIAL DEATH CASES
PUTRAJAYA – The Coalition Against Torture and Death in Custody Malaysia (Gabungan Anti-Penyeksaan dan Kematian dalam Tahanan Malaysia – GAPKTM), together with family members of four victims who died while under the custody or care of state institutions, today submitted a memorandum to the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police demanding immediate action to secure justice after years of delays, and lack of accountability.
The memorandum highlights four cases involving:
• Syed Mohd Azlan Syed Mohamed Nur, who died in police custody in Johor in 2014 after suffering 61 documented injuries.
• J. Soosaimanicckam, a Royal Malaysian Navy cadet whose death was ruled a homicide by the High Court in 2024.
• Rafi Ullah, a Pakistani refugee who died in Sungai Buloh Prison in 2021 amid allegations of torture and whose promised inquest has yet to commence.
• Mohd Zaidi Abdul Hamid, a prisoner who died in 2024 following complications linked to caning injuries and alleged failures in medical treatment.
The four families have waited years for answers, accountability, and justice. Despite court findings, official inquiries, recommendations from EAIC, SUHAKAM and other oversight bodies, critical investigations and legal proceedings remain stalled.
DEMANDS OF THE FAMILIES
1. Justice for Syed Mohd Azlan
The family demands that the Attorney General reopen criminal investigations into evidence destruction and cover-up activities identified by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC), and pursue accountability against all officers involved in the incident.
2. Justice for J. Soosaimanicckam
The family demands that the Royal Malaysia Police complete its homicide investigation without further delay and submit investigation papers for prosecution recommendations against those responsible.
3. Justice for Rafi Ullah
The family demands that the Attorney General immediately direct the commencement of a judicial inquest, as previously promised, to establish the circumstances surrounding his death and allegations of torture.
4. Justice for Mohd Zaidi Abdul Hamid
The family demands an immediate judicial inquest into the circumstances of his death, including the role of caning injuries, adequacy of medical care, and any possible negligence by authorities.
CALL FOR SYSTEMIC REFORM
Beyond the individual cases, GAPKTM is calling for the establishment of a permanent independent mechanism between enforcement agencies and prosecutors to prevent custodial death cases from being delayed, neglected, or compromised. An Anti-Torture Act should be enacted to eliminate all forms of torture and death in custody at state institutions.
The coalition stresses that deaths in custody engage the State's constitutional responsibility to protect life and ensure equal protection under the law. Families of victims must not be left waiting indefinitely while investigations stagnate.
Speaking at a press conference at the Attorney General’s office in Putrajaya, GAPKTM’s coordinator Syed Shariff Syed Mohamed Nur said :
"Today, four families stand before the Attorney General's Chambers carrying years of grief. They are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for the most basic accountability and upholding the rule of law: that when a person dies in the custody of or at the hand of the State, the truth will be uncovered and those responsible will be held accountable."
In addition to submitting memoranda to the Attorney General and the Inspector-General of Police, the coalition also submitted a memorandum to the office of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (BHEUU), urging the government to enact an Anti-Torture Act to eliminate torture and deaths in detention facilities in all government agencies.
TBH-ADA's legal advisor Steve Chew 周本兴, and head of volunteers Yap Hwa also attended today's event.
ABOUT US
The Coalition Against Torture and Death in Custody Malaysia (Gabungan Anti-Penyeksaan dan Kematian dalam Tahanan Malaysia – GAPKTM) is a victim family support group that advocates for elimination of torture, custodial violence and deaths, while promoting accountability, transparency and justice in Malaysia.
The coalition is endorsed by Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Association (TBH-ADA), Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (MADPET), Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together (EDICT), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) and HAYAT. TBH-ADA is the secretariat of the coalition.