Witness tortured
Jul 4th, 2007 by Tian
Rohaniza told the court yesterday (3 July) that she was “tortured” and “under tremendous pressure” during her 14-day remand.
Anyone who has undergone the experience of interrogation under remand would confirm Rohaniza’s story. Torture has been the most common (if not the only) form of police investigation method.
Nobody in court seemed alarmed by the allegation of torture. Torture is perhaps accepted as a norm in Malaysian justice procedure. This is again exposed.
The Attorney General Chamber should have immediately ordered an inquiry into Rohaniza’s serious claims. The torturers must be identified and be penalized to demonstrate that torture of witnesses is not tolerated in Malaysian legal system. The inaction or silence of the AG gives an impression that there was a clear attempt to intimidate the witness in oder for her to testify a certain way.
Again the Altantuya murder trial exposed the blatant abuses of power by the police forces. Why revelation like this was never followed up?
Rohaniza’s experience was no different from many other detainees arrested under ISA or criminal proceeding.
The court also found the witness’ testimony in court was contradictory to her confession statement. This should surprise nobody, since her confession was taken under duress.
Malaysia needs to set up a “Witness Protection Scheme” to ensure that detainees could provide evidence without fear. This reiterates the necessity of IPCMC.
The Prosecutor team is now seeking to impeach their own witness. This simply shows that the Prosecutors had not prepared its prosecution seriously.
It is certain that the trial continues to make interesting turns. No matter how carefully and meticulous in the plotting, it is impossible to cover the entire truth. It seems like the Prosecutors may have to impeach all its witnesses at the end of the day.
This is a stark lesson to ALL police officers.
You indulge in torture, you can also be tortured.
You dig the hole and you may be buried in it as well.
So, ask not for whom the bells toll!
hi tian - seemed like we’r on d same wave length. I just wrote in my blog about having a Witness Protection Unit and is asking why no one is requesting to open an investigation on the interrogation since it is so obvious the so call Star witness is actually being pressured to sign her cautioned statement.
In one part she actually says that someone from the serious crime unit promised to free her from being implicated — come on! how much more does the Hon Judge and the Prosecutor need to hear before they take the appropriate action of investigating what the heck is really going on in PDRM???
sick!
It appears that as one follows closely the trial, the court has been turned into some sort of a joke. If the final result shows a blatant miscarriaged of justice, what can any one do or for that matter will the whole world care. It will be interesting to watch how another sovereign state will respond to the final verdict which in one way or the other will tarnish the already tarnished legal system .