PKR's Afif stands by his tweet on custodial death

Penang state executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin has expressed sadness that his tweet had been misunderstood as being disrespectful to the sacrifices of the police and to the late Corporal Raja Aizam Raja Mohd.

Raja Aizam was slashed to death while on duty in Klang on Mac 4, and another policeman was injured after a confrontation with four believed to be foreigners.

“I am sad because my tweet has been twisted with malicious intent by BN and Umno to make me look as if I am an enemy of the police, and thus making me appear as if I do not respect the sensitivities of the victim’s family,” Afif said, responding to the criticisms levelled against him by his detractors.

As the Seberang Jaya assemblyperson, Afif said it was his duty to work with the police for the sake of the safety and well-being of his constituents and Penangites.

Afif had even incurred the wrath of deputy inspector-general of police Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin (right) who described him as being “inhumane” and “not fit to be a state representative”.

Mohd Bakri also slammed Afif for not appreciating the sacrifices of the police.

Today, Sensible, Ethical Malaysian United Teal president Huan Cheng Guan lodged a police report claiming Afif’s tweet was an insult to the police force.

“His tweet has undermined the image of the force, making our security personnel look irresponsible and not professional in carrying out their duties,” he said after lodging his report.

“He should not question the credibility of the police. The tweet appear to be inciting hatred and disloyalty to the police and government,” he stressed.

Yesterday, BN supporters including state Umno Youth chief Rafizal Abd Rahim accused Afif of being disrespectful to the force and for allegedly defending criminals with his tweet “criminal killing a policeman is not surprising, but when the police who are supposed to uphold the law kill a detainee, that’s a problem...”

But Afif told Malaysiakini yesterday that he did not refer to any particular individual in his tweet, but was more concerned about institutional reforms in the police department due to the number of custodial deaths in the lock-ups.

He was particularly referring to the recent custodial deaths in Penang - in Bayan Baru and Nibong Tebal lock-ups - and another at the Dang Wangi police station since January this year.

‘My tweet does not refer to anyone’

He condemned the efforts by critics of his tweet to turn Raja Aizam’s family into a political tool to attack him.

“My tweet clearly does not refer to anyone, what more to the victims who worked hard to defend the country,” Afif said.

Afif then offered his condolences to Raja Aizam's family, saying he prayed to God for the victim to be placed among the righteous and for him to be blessed for dying a holy death (ganjaran syahid).

But Afif said he will stand by his principle that the authorities, including the Home Ministry, must take heed of custodial deaths and act accordingly.

He cited the case of a Suaram report which states that between 2003 to 2008, there had been 1531 detainees who died in police custody.

“We need a firm resolution which is in line with the guarantees in Article 5 of the federal constitution and those stated in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, including what we believe in the Holy Book, in Surah An-Nisaa ayat 58, which all say that we need to be fair in punishing people,” he said.

By Susan Loone, Malaysiakini