KUALA LUMPUR — DAP lawmaker RSN Rayer today called on the police to explain why the investigation into the death of Noorizwan Zulkefly was classified voluntarily hurt instead of murder.

Rayer cited news reports quoting Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar, who said the death-in-detention case is investigated under Section 331 of the Penal Code, which deals with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort a confession or force the restoration of property.

The member of parliament for Jelutong said he felt the police decision was hasty, as the postmortem report on Noorizwan’s death had yet to be ready, with the cause of death still undetermined.

“I don’t agree that it’s being investigated under 331. By right it should be 302 of the Penal Code (murder),” Rayer said at a press conference in the Parliament building here.

“If the complete postmortem report is not even ready, why is the police seemingly hasty to classify it under Section 331? I am quoting the CID chief. But my question is if the complete report isn’t even ready, the cause of death is yet to be determined, why is the police rushing to classify it as 331?” The MP added.

Noorizwan, 42, died on October 1, while under detention at the Cheras district police headquarters lock-up.

News reports, quoting family members and their lawyers, indicated Noorizwan suffered nearly two dozen severe injuries based on preliminary postmortem findings.

Bukit Aman had classified the case under Section 331 following statements recorded by a forensic medical consultant at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz who conducted the postmortem, Kumar was quoted as saying.