Malaysia assures it will punish cops over beating

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Malaysian government has pledged to take stern action against Malaysian police officers if they are found guilty of beating four Indonesian fishermen.

Malaysian Consul General in Medan Norlin Othman said on Tuesday evening that the Malaysian government would not try to cover up the case.

“If our officers are found guilty of any violation, stern measures will be handed down to them,” Norlin said.

Norlin said he had been informed about the alleged beating incident, in which four Indonesians were arrested and their catch confiscated by Malaysian police officers after they were caught fishing in a disputed border area between the two countries.

“We urge the fishermen to report the case to the Malaysian government as soon as possible together with their evidence,” he said.

The case emerged after the four Indonesian fishermen reported the case to the Medan office of the Association of Indonesian Fishermen (HNSI). HMSI Medan chairman Zulfahri Siagian said that the four fishermen were beaten “black-and-blue” after being escorted on to a Malaysian Police patrol boat on March 15, 2011. — JP