Anwar contacts IGP over Cheras custodial death

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reached out to Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail to learn more about the custodial death of Noorizwan Zulkefly, a 42-year-old individual who passed away on October 1. The prime minister expressed his condolences for Noorizwan's family and stressed that the investigation should be carried out thoroughly, transparently, and without any compromises.

He also promised to keep the family informed about the progress of the investigation. Noorizwan's family had submitted a letter to Prime Minister Anwar, requesting that the death be investigated transparently and that they be regularly updated. Noorizwan's younger brother, Nooranis Zulkefly, urged the prime minister to halt any harassment of the family's lawyers while they sought information about the detainee's death.

The lawyers, Latheefa Koya, N Surendran, and Dina Zamri, were questioned by the federal police for visiting the pathology unit at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HUKM) to clarify the autopsy report and examine photographs of Noorizwan's injuries. Noorizwan was arrested on September 20 and held at Cheras police headquarters for 11 days before being transferred to HUKM on September 30.

He was pronounced dead on October 1. The family had previously rejected the police's claim that Noorizwan's arrest and detention were carried out in compliance with standard operating procedures. Bukit Aman later stated that Noorizwan sustained several external injuries but did not suffer any internal bleeding. The cause of death is still under laboratory analysis.