A lawyer representing the families of three men shot dead by police last month has called for Melaka police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar to be placed on leave, alleging that he interfered with Bukit Aman’s ongoing investigation into the case.
Rajesh Nagarajan said Dzulkhairi had made public statements regarding the incident despite the criminal investigation department in Bukit Aman forming a special team to handle the probe. He added that the comments created the impression that the Melaka police were still in control, raising questions about impartiality.
“If Bukit Aman is investigating this, then it’s clear that Dzulkhairi is interfering,” Rajesh said, urging the inspector-general of police and the home minister to either place him on garden leave or transfer him to another state. He also questioned why details about the Bukit Aman task force, including the head of the special team, had not been made public.
Rajesh noted that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had emphasised the need for a transparent investigation and requested that Bukit Aman clarify whether the probe was being conducted under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
He also refuted claims by Dzulkhairi that one of the deceased’s lovers had a criminal record, stating that a criminal record only exists if a person is charged and convicted in court. Rajesh accused the police chief of making false statements and attempting to divert attention from the shooting, and said a police report would be filed at Petaling Jaya police headquarters. He also plans to write to PLUS Malaysia Bhd to request CCTV footage from cameras near the scene.
Separately, activist Arun Dorasamy revealed an anonymous letter from a tow truck driver who claimed to have discovered one of the deceased’s vehicles, a Proton Saga, abandoned near the scene. The letter described how another truck driver allegedly witnessed police officers beating and removing the victims from the car at around 1.25am. Eight officers were reportedly present in three other vehicles, including a Perodua Aruz and a Proton Waja.
The letter’s author said that when he returned to the scene at 2.25am, the car was empty but visibly damaged, with a walkie-talkie and a mobile phone belonging to one of the deceased still inside. Photos accompanying the letter showed the vehicle’s interior and the items left behind.
The families and their legal team continue to call for a transparent and impartial investigation into the Durian Tunggal shooting.
