Eliminating Deaths and Abuse In Custody Together (EDICT) said the police cannot jump to conclusions as an inquest should be held first to investigate such deaths.

On Monday, Bukit Aman revealed that an unnamed 42-year-old man who was held for drug use at the Indera Mahkota centralised lock-up died due to “acute chronic lung infection with underlying pulmonary tuberculosis”.

It was the 14th death in custody case this year.

Bukit Aman further revealed that based on a pathologist’s report from Hospital Kuantan, there were “no criminal elements” involved in the case and that it had been classified as “sudden death”.

In a statement, EDICT said the laws currently dictate that police investigations related to custodial deaths must be first referred to the coroner who will determine the cause of death following an inquest.

“EDICT believes that the police’s media statement announcing the cause of death is not in line with the procedures for such cases under the Criminal Procedure Code.

“The code does not allow police to issue any media statement on custodial deaths before an inquest is held by the coroner,” the group said.