Police did wrong and broke the law when they prematurely ‘punished’ a group of 21 teenagers aged 14 to 17 who had allegedly breached the law, by asking them to do a series of “ketuk ketampi” (squats).
This is also considered to be torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and it certainly was not in accordance with the law.
A group of 21 teenagers, aged 14 to 17, were caught riding bicycles recklessly during a roadblock on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Kuala Lumpur yesterday as part of Operation New Year’s Eve 2025 and they were disciplined on the spot with a series of “ketuk ketampi” (squats).
Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa said the teenagers were riding modified bicycles that lacked essential safety features such as brakes, bells and lights. They were also riding dangerously and engaging in competitive behaviour. He explained that their actions violated the Road Traffic Rules (Rule 42) LN 165/59, which could result in the confiscation of their bicycles under Section 112 of the Road Transport Act 1987.
“However, a senior traffic enforcement officer, together with a Road Transport Department (RTD) officer, opted to issue a stern warning and discipline the teenagers by requiring them to perform ‘ketuk ketampi’ as a form of advocacy and deterrence,” he said in a statement. – Bernama/Malaysiakini, 2 January 2024
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The police and law enforcement’s duties are only to arrest and investigate, and not to punish alleged law-breakers by any form of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
A verbal reprimand or advice may be acceptable, but certainly no form of degrading treatment or punishment. Can punishment or such treatment be visited upon children by law enforcement, without the knowledge or consent of their parents?
Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) calls for the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department chief, Mohd Zamzuri Mohd Isa, the said senior traffic enforcement officer, together with the said Road Transport Department officer, to be immediately investigated and charged in court for, among others, these crimes against children, that reasonably must be torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Note also the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.
When children are subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, criminal action must be taken against the perpetrators.
We are also appalled with the delay in the criminal action against a teacher who ‘punished’ students by making them stand under the hot sun – a 11-year-old student who suffered a heatstroke after being forced to stand in the sun for nearly three hours has since been diagnosed with a nerve condition and is now considered a person with disabilities (The Sun, 30 May 2024).
We recall another incident where a teacher forced students to do ‘ketuk ketampi’ that resulted in a fracture of the knee.
“However, my son and several other students were summoned the next day for missing school. They were ordered to ‘ketuk ketampi’ for 30 times as a form of punishment,” she said. Azlina said her son, whose knee was still healing, was unable to complete the squats and complained of pain. His claims, however, were ignored by the teacher, who instead punched him in the chest after accusing him of lying. – New Straits Times, 4 February 2023
In the most recent case, the Bernama report indicates that after the series of “ketuk ketampi” (squats):
The teenagers then shook hands and apologised to the officers at the scene. They were warned against further reckless behaviour and instructed to return home immediately.
Were the parents of these children informed? Did the law enforcement even fix an appointment to check that the illegalities in their bicycle are remedied? If these teenagers continue to ride those bicycles, would not these law enforcement officers be accomplices of crime?
As mentioned, this is a serious case where law enforcement officers acted illegally when they caused children to suffer torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The government must act to avoid a wrong perception that this government protects government employees. Secret disciplinary actions will not do – the perpetrators need to be charged for their crimes.
Madpet reiterates the calls to amend the Federal Constitution to include the provision: “No person shall be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment save in accordance with law”, as well as a clear proclamation of Malaysia’s stance on torture, etc.
Madpet also calls for the teacher who ‘punished’ students by making them stand under hot sun to be also charged in court for the crime. Likewise, all other teachers and caregivers who caused children to suffer torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, should be promptly and transparently charged and tried in court.
Madpet also asks that “ketuk ketampi” be deemed as corporal punishment and should not be used as a form of punishment on children anywhere, and by anyone.
The education minister and children’s human rights commissioners should speak out and call for an end to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against children anywhere. They should demand that perpetrators are promptly charged in court and accorded a fair trial. – Madpet
Charles Hector issued this statement on behalf of Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture.
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