In a statement, N Surendran and Latheefa Koya said the family of Aminulrasyid Amzah only wanted a court judgment stating that wrong had been done to them, and that an innocent child had lost his life.
“The government fought the family’s legal action every step of the way. Even though criminal charges were brought by the Attorney-General’s Chambers against a policeman for the shooting, the government still refused to give in.
“In a final act of disrespect and indifference, the government’s lawyers argued in court yesterday that no damages should be paid to Aminulrasyid’s family, despite the finding of the court that the government was liable for the wrongful killing of the boy.
“Fortunately, the Federal Court disagreed with the government’s lawyers and upheld the award of damages by the Court of Appeal.”
In the ruling yesterday, Chief Justice Raus Sharif who chaired a three-man bench refused the government’s leave to appeal over the amount of damages awarded to Aminulrasyid’s family.
In 2016, the Shah Alam High Court had awarded RM414,800 in damages to Aminulrasyid’s family after finding Corporal Jenain Subi liable for the teen’s death.
Last June, however, the Court of Appeal reduced the damages to RM114,000, which included RM100,000 in general damages which the government was not prepared to pay.
The government’s stand was that the estate of Aminulrasyid was only entitled to RM14,000 for bereavement and funeral expenses.
Surendran and Latheefa said Prime Minister Najib Razak had, on behalf of the government, sent a letter to the 14-year-old’s mother promising justice.
“Is the government’s argument in court yesterday Najib’s idea of justice?” they asked, adding that no formal apology had yet been given to the family.
“From the moment of the killing, the authorities rushed to deny wrongdoing and the family had to fight hard for justice.
“Yesterday’s court verdict marked the end of the family’s legal battle for justice. But will there ever be closure for the family’s struggle to come to terms with Aminulrasyid’s death?”
Police shooting: Aminulrasyid’s family gets RM114,000 in damages