IPOH - Tight control over the senior police officer during the proceedings of a murder case involving a student at the Ipoh Magistrate's Court today was done for security purposes, said Perak's Deputy Chief Police, Datuk Azizi Mat Aris.
He stated that there were no issues of double standards or special treatment in the matter, contrary to some claims.
"This case only involves an ordinary offender; we don't consider it high-profile, but it has drawn public attention.
"Hence, stringent control is necessary to maintain safety and peace at the courthouse," he said.
He mentioned this when approached by reporters after accompanying the Home Minister's political secretary, Johari Kassim to the victim's family home at Taman Chepor Sentosa here today.
Also present were Perak's Communication, Multimedia, and NGO Exco, Mohd Azlan Helmi, and Housing and Local Government Exco, Sandrea Ng.
Azizi further explained that control, such as the accused being escorted by officers and police vehicles, is a standard procedure to bring the accused to court.
"Starting from being escorted by officers from the station to being brought to court and then facing the judge, it's all part of standard procedures," he said.
Elaborating further, he assured that the investigation process against the deputy superintendent-ranked officer would be conducted transparently, in line with Inspector-General Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain's recommendations.
"We have initiated the prosecution process with charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
"The accused is currently detained at Taiping Prison awaiting the upcoming trial," he said.
Sinar reported that at least five Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers, fully masked and dressed in dark attire, escorted the accused into the courtroom.
The accused, Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak 44, who was stationed at the Kedah Contingent Police Headquarters, appeared in court wearing a white T-shirt and black trousers.
His head and face were covered with a piece of black cloth, and his hands were handcuffed.
The tight security made it challenging for media personnel to cover the proceedings, particularly in recording the accused's movements.
According to the charge, the Kedah CID Organised Crime Branch (D9) officer is accused of causing the death of Muhammad Zaharif Affendi Muhd Zamrie 17.
The offence is alleged to have taken place at Jalan Taman Jati 1, near Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Jati, Ipoh, between 12.05pm and 12.40 pm on Dec 15 2023.
The charge is made under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment for a minimum of 30 years and a maximum of 40 years and a minimum of 12 strokes, if convicted.