PETALING JAYA: The family of the late Noorizwan Zulkefly, 42, lodged a police report against Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus here today over his remarks on the death of the detainee.
Lawyer Latheefa Koya said the report was prompted by Fadil's statements on Noorizwan's death, which she described as dishonest and an attempt to justify the incident on the grounds that the deceased had a criminal record.
"We were shocked by the statements made during yesterday's press conference because they contradicted what we had witnessed ourselves.
"This was particularly evident from our meeting with pathologist Dr Faridah on Monday, Oct 12, at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM).
"During the meeting, Dr Faridah briefed us and explained the autopsy findings, supported by photographic evidence of the injuries sustained by the deceased.
"However, the way Datuk Fadil delivered his statements at the press conference gave the impression that he was completely unaware of the pathologist's briefing and findings," she said at a press conference at the Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) office here today.
She said officers from the federal custodial death investigation unit were also present at the meeting.
Earlier, Latheefa, fellow lawyer N. Surendran, Noorizwan's brother Nooranis Zulkefly and several family members went to the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters to lodge the report at about 3pm.
In the report, Latheefa said Fadil's statements at the press conference had failed to address the severe injuries found on Noorizwan's body, as documented in the forensic findings.
"The Kuala Lumpur police chief did not mention that there were severe injuries on Noorizwan's body, despite this being a finding by the pathologist.
"He also claimed that the cause of death had yet to be finalised, although the pathologist had already informed the police and the family of the cause," she said in the report.
Latheefa said Fadil's statements were inaccurate and misleading, adding that his position as Kuala Lumpur police chief presented a conflict of interest because the case involved personnel under his command.
She said the federal police should conduct the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which deals with murder, and that the personnel involved should only be allowed to return to duty if no criminal elements were found.
Yesterday, the media reported that police were awaiting the full report from the Chemistry Department and the pathology findings to determine the cause of death of a man who died in custody on Oct 1.
Fadil was reported to have said that the detainee, a local man in his 40s, died at 1.52am while receiving treatment at HCTM.
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