Why Noorizwan's death matters to all of us

COMMENT | Why Noorizwan's death matters to all of us

Mariam Mokhtar

Published: Oct 30, 2026 3:46 PM


COMMENT | How does a man enter police custody and die with 21 injuries reportedly documented during a post-mortem examination?

Noorizwan Zulkefly, 42, a father, died on Oct 1 after being detained at the Cheras district police headquarters lock-up.

His family's lawyers described extensive injuries, including severe swelling of the skull, bleeding in the brain, and internal bleeding in the intestinal area. The pathologist said he died from blunt-force trauma to the head.

These are grave findings.


According to reports, Noorizwan was detained on Sept 19. His family said they were unaware that he was in custody and only learnt of his death afterwards.

Why was he arrested? What were the grounds for his detention? What happened during those 12 days? When was his family notified? Why was his family informed of his death only hours later?

Identifying the offences under investigation does not explain what Noorizwan was accused of, what evidence the police had, or why he needed to be detained.

A person suspected of an offence does not forfeit the right to lawful treatment. Neither does an arrest give the state unrestricted control over someone's body, dignity, or safety.


Questions surrounding the death

The family's lawyers' account of the post-mortem findings detailed injuries involving the victim's head, eyes, ears, shoulders, back, arms, wrists, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and feet.

The lawyers said areas of swelling showed subcutaneous bleeding during the post-mortem examination. They interpreted the findings as evidence of severe beatings.


Naturally, the precise circumstances and responsibility should be established through evidence. But the reported findings cannot simply be brushed aside.

There were also reported differences between the family's lawyers' account and subsequent police statements concerning the internal injuries and the status of the cause of death. Police said laboratory analysis was outstanding and the full post-mortem findings were still required.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus made insensitive and irresponsible remarks that understandably angered and distressed Noorizwan's grieving family.

Instead of explaining how a man detained in police custody sustained 21 injuries, Fadil chose to highlight Noorizwan's alleged criminal record. A person's criminal record does not cancel his right to protection under the law, especially when he is in police custody.

More importantly, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail eventually directed Bukit Aman CID to investigate Noorizwan's death immediately and make its findings public.

Why should it take public outrage, sustained media coverage, lawyers representing the family, and an intervention by the IGP before this happened? Shouldn't a death involving 21 reported injuries in police custody have triggered this level of scrutiny from the outset?

Bukit Aman CID director M Kumar then promised that the investigation would be conducted "thoroughly and professionally, without any element of a cover-up".

Again, why should the public be reassured by another official promise? How many similar assurances have followed previous deaths in custody? What became of those investigations? Were lessons learnt? Were those responsible held accountable?

Bukit Aman CID director M Kumar

The public has heard the same promises umpteen times. It wants to see results.

Noorizwan's family deserves more than assurances. It deserves the truth.

Another promise; what about answers?

So, what happened?

Has all relevant CCTV footage been preserved? We are aware that in previous cases, we were told that the camera did not have any film in it, that it was not programmed to record, or that it was being repaired or undergoing routine maintenance. Bizarrely, we have also been told that the camera was pointing in the wrong direction.

What do the custody records show? Who had access to Noorizwan? Were medical examinations conducted? Were injuries or requests for treatment recorded?

These should not be read as accusations against individual officers. They are questions a credible investigation must answer.

Police later said the case had been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Commission, while Bukit Aman CID was taking over the investigation.

However, what progress has been made? What evidence has been secured? When will the family receive a substantive update?

The absence of a publicly announced arrest does not establish that investigators have done nothing. Nor does an ongoing investigation guarantee that accountability will follow.

The authorities must explain what happened without compromising the investigation. A statement that investigations are ongoing cannot become a permanent substitute for answers.

Justice musn't depend on public pressure

When someone dies in police custody under circumstances that demand explanation, the consequences extend beyond the immediate family.

The rakyat begins to wonder whether their own relatives would be safe if detained. Would the family be informed? If something happened, would the truth emerge?

The question is particularly important for ordinary families who may lack the money, legal assistance, or connections to challenge an official account.

Justice must not depend on a family's ability to sustain a public campaign.

Accountability is the test of reform

So, if this Madani administration is serious about reform, it must demonstrate that commitment where it matters most: in institutions entrusted with exercising power over citizens.

The home minister and IGP should explain what safeguards are in place, what went wrong, if anything, and how accountability will be ensured.

If criminal wrongdoing is established, those responsible must face the appropriate legal process. Equally, findings must be based on evidence, not assumptions.

Holding the police accountable does not weaken the institution; it reinforces the principle that nobody is above the law.

Noorizwan's death matters to all of us because the protection of one person's rights is part of the protection of everyone's rights.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Find her on her website and on X.

Supporters out by 7am as Melaka candidates file their papers

Supporters out by 7am as Melaka candidates file their papers



Supporters and Chinese lion dancers in costume accompany Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Paya Rumput state seat, Datuk Azman Abidin, to the nomination centre at Stadium Hang Jebat for the 16th Melaka State Election on October 31, 2026. — Bernama pic



First Published: Saturday, 31 Oct 2026 9:42 AM MYT
Last Modified: Saturday, 31 Oct 2026 9:46 AM MYT


MELAKA, Oct 31 — All 28 nomination centres for the 16th Melaka State Election opened simultaneously at 9 am today.

Prospective candidates have one hour, until 10 am, to submit their nomination papers to the returning officers at their respective centres, after which the list of eligible candidates will be officially announced.

The 14-day campaign period will begin after the announcement of candidates and end at 11.59 pm on November 13.

A Bernama check at several nomination centres found that supporters of various political parties began gathering as early as 7 am to show their support for their respective candidates, with favourable weather conditions reported across the state.


The election is being held following the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly on September 23, with the consent of the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.

The Election Commission (EC) has set November 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, with early voting scheduled for November 10.

A total of 687,697 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the election, comprising 675,166 ordinary voters, 9,769 military personnel and their spouses, and 2,762 police personnel.

Barisan Nasional (BN) secured 21 seats in the 15th Melaka State Election held on November 20, 2021, with UMNO winning 18, MCA two and MIC one, enabling the coalition to form the state government with a more than two-thirds majority.


Pakatan Harapan (PH) won five seats, with DAP securing four and Amanah one, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) took two.

For the latest updates on the 16th Melaka State Election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/. — Bernama

 

King’s consent needed before Shuhaily returns to police, says IGP

King’s consent needed before Shuhaily returns to police, says IGP

4 hours ago

Bernama

IGP Khalid Ismail says the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is needed for Shuhaily Zain's tenure as border agency chief to be ended prematurely.

Border agency chief Shuhaily Zain was charged on Oct 21 with assaulting two policemen at KLIA. He pleaded not guilty.

KUALA LUMPUR:

The police force is awaiting legal advice from the Attorney-General’s Chambers before finalising Shuhaily Zain’s return to the force from the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), according to the inspector-general of police, Khalid Ismail.

He said Shuhaily’s two-year term as AKPS director-general, which began on July 1 last year, could only be cut short with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim.

“Once he returns to the force, we will then consider the next course of action based on the recommendations of the Public Services Commission (SPA).

“We are civil servants, and all disciplinary matters are subject to the SPA and the Police Force Commission,” he said.

Yesterday, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that his ministry had decided last week to return Shuhaily to the police after his secondment to AKPS ends.

On Oct 21, he was charged with two counts of causing injury to two police personnel at KLIA on Sept 28. He has pleaded not guilty.

 

Malaysia must watch Saudi Arabia with increased scrutiny

Malaysia must watch Saudi Arabia with increased scrutiny

4 hours ago

Phar Kim Beng

Deterioration in security in the Middle East undermines Malaysia’s economic wellbeing and poses a threat to pilgrims.

Washington’s decision to order non-emergency American diplomatic personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia is more than a precautionary measure. It signals a dangerous deterioration in the security environment of West Asia.

For Malaysia, the implications are immediate, strategic and potentially costly.

Saudi Arabia is not merely another oil-producing country. It is a pivotal power in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the custodian of Islam’s two holiest cities and an indispensable pillar of global energy security.

When Washington begins withdrawing diplomatic personnel from Riyadh, Kuala Lumpur must pay attention.

The decision follows increasingly audacious attacks by Yemen’s Houthis against Saudi airports, energy installations and civilian infrastructure.

The recent targeting of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield demonstrates how asymmetric warfare can undermine even a militarily sophisticated state.

Saudi Arabia possesses advanced Western weapons systems, extensive financial resources and powerful international partnerships. Yet relatively inexpensive drones and missiles continue to penetrate or challenge its defensive arrangements.

This carries five important lessons for Malaysia.

First, energy security cannot be separated from national security.

Although Malaysia produces petroleum and natural gas, its economy remains vulnerable to disruptions in global energy markets.

Higher transportation costs, expensive imported industrial inputs and renewed inflationary pressures could weaken domestic purchasing power.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government has worked to preserve economic stability amid considerable international uncertainty.

A prolonged crisis in Saudi Arabia could undermine these efforts, especially if disruptions spread across the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.

Second, maritime security must be understood as an interconnected strategic system.

The Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are indispensable arteries of international commerce.

If both become increasingly dangerous, shipping companies will face higher insurance premiums, longer journeys and mounting operational costs.

Malaysia, strategically positioned along the Strait of Malacca, cannot remain insulated from these developments.

Disruptions in West Asia can eventually affect Malaysian ports, manufacturers, exporters and consumers.

Third, the Houthis have demonstrated the growing effectiveness of asymmetric warfare.

Military superiority no longer guarantees comprehensive security.

Drones, missiles, cyberattacks and sabotage can inflict enormous economic damage without requiring conventional military parity.

Malaysia and Asean must therefore strengthen the protection of airports, ports, energy installations and communications networks.

The strategic lesson is straightforward: resilience matters as much as deterrence.

Fourth, Saudi instability carries serious implications for Malaysian pilgrims.

Mecca and Madinah remain central to the religious lives of Malaysian Muslims.

Any deterioration in aviation security or airport operations could complicate haj and umrah arrangements.

Wisma Putra, Tabung Haji and Malaysia’s diplomatic missions must strengthen contingency planning, particularly regarding evacuation procedures, flight disruptions and consular assistance.

The safety of Malaysian citizens must remain paramount.

Fifth, the American decision exposes the limitations of excessive dependence on external security guarantees.

The United States remains militarily formidable. Nevertheless, its decision to reduce diplomatic exposure demonstrates that even Washington cannot eliminate every security threat confronting its allies.

Malaysia must therefore deepen its strategic relationships with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, China and other influential powers.