The Batu Kawan MP asked if the commission would be launching an investigation, or whether there were “hidden hands” that prevented it from conducting an independent probe.

“There must be no stumbling block, whether from within or out, to influence pressure, divert and determine the outcome of the investigations by the EAIC into these deaths,” she said in a statement.

Kasthuri recalled that the tabling of the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill in 2019 was met with much objection from the then opposition.

“Where are the voices of the MPs now, with three custodial deaths within 40 days?” she asked.

Noting that the EAIC was established by an Act of Parliament, she said all MPs must be made privy to the findings of the investigation.

“Ditch the defensive attitude on custodial deaths and address it with the seriousness that a life was lost under the authority of the police,” she said, adding that the police cannot be the only ones to investigate themselves.

“The prime minister, the home minister and the inspector-general of police must meet the families of those who died in custody and their lawyers and give them the answers they need.”

FMT reported that 21-year-old Surendran Shanker had died at the Kluang hospital yesterday morning, less than a month after he was moved to the Simpang Renggam prison.

Surendran’s death comes just a month after that of cow’s milk vendor A Ganapathy on April 18 and security guard S Sivabalan on May 20. Both of them died in hospital after being held at the Gombak police station.