“The police are reported to have dismissed Namewee’s claims of allegedly deplorable conditions in the lock-ups,” he added. “They are demanding that he lodge a police report before a probe can begin.”

The MP called upon Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to look into the matter as one that involves public concern and interests. “Zahid should rise to the occasion. He should direct that a police report be lodged on the matter.”

Gobind pointed out that Zahid was responsible for prisons and lock-ups in the country and must respond to the matter in Parliament.

In urging that Zahid take immediate steps to probe the matter, he stressed that no one should be subject to inhumane and/or degrading treatment in detention.

He cited humanitarian considerations.

The police dismissing complaints summarily would not inspire confidence, he cautioned. “There appears to be a conflict of interest. The complaints are against the police themselves.”

Firstly, he stressed, there’s no need for a police report to be lodged for an internal probe into conditions of detention in police custody.

Secondly, if there was a need for such a report, the police should do it themselves.

“We are talking about detentions here,” said Gobind. “A complaint has been made and a very serious one indeed.”

The police shouldn’t merely respond with a challenge for a police report to be lodged, he continued. “That cannot be enough.”