The two constables detained to facilitate investigations of alleged police brutality against businessman Chia Buang Ting have been released after police failed to obtain an extension of remand at a magistrate's court today.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng told a press conference that lawyers hired by the two policemen had objected to remand on grounds that the officers were "not like ordinary citizens" and would not be likely to run away, and even if they did could be easily found.
The two are part of the four whom Chia, 34, had identified in a line-up on Thursday as those allegedly involved in the beatings he suffered while under arrest on suspicion of drugs and weapons possession, and for having a royal family crest on his car.
At the press conference, Chia repeatedly demanded justice, that his name be cleared and his money returned.
"I would rather die than be defamed by the police," he said.
He again denied the allegations of drugs and weapon possession.
Chia also said it was not a royal family crest on his car, but a VIP card given to him after he made several donations to an organisation and a Datuk.
He said the large sum of money he had on him was to pay the medical expenses of a fellow temple-goer, an elderly woman.
Chia's ordeal began on Dec 18 when he was stopped at a roadblock in Kota Damansara for displaying an expired road tax.
He alleged that he had refused to bribe the police officer who stopped him, and threatened to report the policeman for corruption.
He claimed the officer then punched him in his right eye, handcuffed him and arrested him on suspicion of drugs and weapons possession. He also said he had more than RM18,000 in cash, which was later stolen from him.
He was remanded between Dec 19 and Dec 22 and lodged a police report upon his release.
Chia's lawyer Marcus Tan Seng Peng, who was also present at the press conference, said no civil action will be taken against the police for now.
Selangor police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah, when contacted, said the two policemen had been released, but not without repercussions.
"The two officers have been suspended and their pay cut by half," he said.
Tun Hisan also said police were waiting for confirmation of the substance found in Chia's car.
"We have to be fair. We are waiting for the lab results," he said. "If it is heroin, Chia will be prosecuted under the Dangerous Drugs Act."
Meanwhile, PKR vice president N. Surendran called for the setting-up of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.
His statement echoed the calls by Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and Bar Council Human Rights committee for the setting up of the commission.
He said the brutality against Chia was a mark of the failure of the judiciary, as Chia had complained to the magistrate about his beatings.
