Testifying officer needs legal representation, says Suhakam
7th Jun 2018
THE Human Rights Commission of Malaysia has been instructed to inform a police officer to get legal representation before testifying at the inquiry into missing activist Amri Che Mat, said Mah Weng Kwai.
The Suhakam commissioner, who heads the public inquiry into Amri’s case, has told its officers to send a letter to Sgt Shamzaini Mohd Daud, who will appear on June 25.
“We, as part of the panel of inquiry, can’t send him the letter, but the commission can.
“He can get legal representation from the Attorney-General’s Chambers, police, or Malaysian Bar,” he said after the inquiry today.
Shamzaini has been summoned following claims by Amri’s wife, Norhayati Ariffin, that he had told her that Bukit Aman was involved in the abductions of Amri and Raymond Koh when he visited her home in Kangar, Perlis, on May 12.
Last week, the inquiry took a dramatic twist when Sentul police chief R. Munusamy showed Norhayati a police report lodged by Shamzaini, denying everything she had told the panel in her testimony.
Amri’s family lawyer, Philip Koh, suggested to the panel that Shamzaini, who would be giving his statement, should have legal representation.
“He should not come and give false evidence and cause grief to himself.
“These are serious allegations by our client, (Norhayati) and now he (Shamzaini) has changed the narrative,” he said.
Koh also said Norhayati or Shamzaini could be prosecuted for making false police reports.
“He needs independent legal advice. He should also be told that he will be signing the witness statement.”
Koh also said that the Malaysian Bar was willing to provide legal assistance.
Amri, a social activist and forex trader in Perlis, is believed to have been abducted on November 24, 2016, while on the way to meet a friend.
His car was seen surrounded by 4WD vehicles in Kampung Padang Behor.
Koh was abducted in Petaling Jaya on February 13 last year by about 15 men in three black SUVs.
Suhakam is conducting a public inquiry into the disappearance of Amri, Koh, and Joshua and Ruth Hilmy to determine if they were cases of enforced disappearances sanctioned by the state. – June 7, 2018.
Link to the article from The Malaysian Insight found here:
https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/53242