[Police shooting incident] DAP wants probe on ‘trigger-happy’ cops

April 28, 2010

~ By Boo Su-Lyn

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Monday’s fatal shooting of 15-year-old Aminulrasyid Amzah by the police is not just another case and must be investigated thoroughly and transparently, said DAP Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching today.

The teenage boy was driving his sister’s Proton Iswara and had allegedly tried to ram into police officers in Section 11, Shah Alam, which caused them to fire on Aminulrasyid in “self-defence”.

However, Aminulrasyid’s friend, who was the only witness in the incident aside from the police officers involved, reported a different set of events, saying that they were chased by a police patrol car after they overtook the said vehicle.

He also said that when the police shot at their car, they were forced to stop on the road shoulder. Aminulrasyid’s friend then claimed he got out from the car to surrender but was kicked and punched by the police officers. He then said he struggled with the police, managed to escape, and went straight home.

“What is frightening to me in this case is that this isn’t the first time that our police officers have been accused of being trigger-happy in ‘enforcing’ the law,” said Teo in statement.

He cited a case in October 2009 where Norizan Salleh was shot five times when the police opened fire at the car she was travelling in with some friends. Her right wrist was shattered by two bullets while two other bullets grazed her arm and torso. The last bullet hit her in the middle of her chest, narrowly missing her heart.

Human rights group, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), said there were 44 cases of death by police shooting in 2008.

During Malaysia’s Universal Periodic Review by the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva last year, the council recommended that the Malaysian government ensure regular training for representatives of the police force, so as to educate them on human rights and the legally-binding nature of international law.

“It is wrong and callous for the police to behave in such a manner, and sadly, the Malaysian public has no confidence in the police force’s assurances of a professional investigation for we have seen too many cases of police brutality covered up by the authorities,” lamented Teo.

The Home Ministry announced they had set up a special panel to probe the alleged police shooting. Umno’s Datuk Noh Omar also reportedly said that the issue would be raised in a Cabinet meeting today.

Aminulrasyid was described as cheerful teenager who liked sports and had many friends in school. He was also due to sit for his PMR exam this year.

Taken from The Malaysian Insider.