Battered and bruised

I am a bit surprised that Malay Mail finally published the press conference that I held last week on the man who has been badly beaten by the police today. The reporter Dawn called me to ask for further development on the case, I told her that the investigation has been taken over by IPK KL. She told me that her editor had held up this report and only released it today and she doesn't know the reason. 

However, I was informed by the family members of Tong that the IPK police officer has contacted him and invited him to go to IPK to assist investigation tomorrow. I am pleased with the response of the police for taking this case seriously.  

by DAWN CHAN, Malay Mail, July 27

A WELDER in Rawang claimed that he was repeatedly punched on his body, eyes and head by police on July 9.

The 38-year-old from Kampung Sungai Terentang, Rawang, claimed that he was also whipped repeatedly with a rubber hose.

He claimed to have suffered three rounds of beatings, lasting 20 to 30 minutes, after he was arrested by three plain-clothes officers at his home in Rawang.

Tong Ket Ming, speaking at Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s office on Thursday, claimed the beatings were to make him confess to an armed robbery in Jinjang on June 28.

Tong claimed he was at work at the time of the crime.

“I am innocent and it was a case of mistaken identity,” he said.

Relating his ordeal at a Press conference, it was obvious that the experience was too much for the small-built man to bear, who broke down several times.

After he was picked up, Tong claimed he was taken to an interrogation room in a police station, the location unknown to him, before they proceeded to Selayang police station.

The policemen had wanted a confession from him and when he did not confess, he was punched in the stomach, kicked and whipped on the head, neck, legs and body with the rubber hoses.

As a result, Tong claimed his head began to swell and he bled from his nose and mouth.

Tong, who was accompanied by his 35-year-old wife, Yew Yook Len, said he was taken to Sentul police station after that and handed to an investigating officer and another policeman.

And when he thought the beatings would stop, it was far from over.

“I was interrogated again and even subjected to a ‘flying kick’ by the investigating officer.”

“At that time, all I could think of was my wife, my three-year-old daughter and my parents, especially my 69-year-old mother.

I thought I would be beaten to death … I could not stand the pain. I pleaded for them to stop but they did not care,” said Tong, who, at this juncture, began to cry.

During the beatings, Tong said he had no chance of defending himself because he was handcuffed at the back.

He also heard a remark by the investigating officer that “the other policemen certainly did not perfect the art of beating him up.”

The officer also repeatedly asked him where he kept the pistol, the weapon he had allegedly used to commit the crime.

“I told them that I was not a criminal and they beat me again. I was also forced to sign a document, typed by the investigating officer, alleging the report of my criminal activities. I refused and I was beaten again.”

“In the end, I had no choice but to sign the document involuntarily as I no longer had the energy to take their beatings,” said Tong.

During the beatings, Tong claimed he hit his head on sharp edges of the furniture in the interrogation room, leaving a scar above his left eyebrow.

Tong was only allowed to call his wife at 3am on July 10.

Later that day, he was taken to the Jalan Duta magistrate’s court where he was remanded for seven days and subsequently remanded for another day on July 16.

“The extent of my bruises and injuries shocked the magistrate who asked me why I was in a bad shape … I replied that I was bashed up by the police.”

The magistrate ordered the police to send me to a hospital and that I should lodge a report.

“But that never happened. I was denied medical treatment and not allowed to lodge a police report,” said Tong.

However, Tong said during the remand, the beatings stopped.

Tong was later allowed bail of RM2,000 on July 17 at 4pm. The case, investigated under Section 392 of the Penal Code for robbery, is set for mention in May next year.

“I want to prove my innocence and seek justice. I am not in the wrong and I did not deserve to be beaten up.”

Kok, with the help of lawyers Tony Pua and Lim Lip Eng, had helped Tong lodge a report at Sentul police station on July 18.

Kok was shocked police beatings in lock-ups were still taking place.

“During the recent Police Day Celebrations, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan had said that that brutality in lock-ups had been reduced significantly. I urge Musa to investigate this case,” said Kok.

Sentul OCPD ACP K. Kumaran told The Malay Mail that a file on the allegations had been opened.

“We will investigate and record statements from the officers involved,” he said.