The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will conduct a public inquiry over the alleged human rights violations in connection with an incident at Taiping Prison, in Perak, on Jan 17, which resulted in the death of an inmate who was in custody.
This follows Twentytwo13’s report yesterday, asking if the commission should carry out such a probe due to the deafening silence by the authorities.
In a statement today, Suhakam said the inquiry will examine, among others, whether there were any human rights violations in connection with the incident and, if so;
(i) to identify the nature and extent of such violations.
(ii) to examine how and why such violations occurred.
(iii) to determine the parties responsible for the violations; and
(iv) to make recommendations to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The inquiry panel will consist of Suhakam chairman Datuk Seri Hishamudin Yunus and two commissioners, Datuk Mariati Robert and Dr Farah Nini Dusuki.
The public hearings will be held at the Kamunting Correctional Centre in Perak in two phases – from June 9-12 and from June 23-26.
Our report yesterday stated that discussions were ongoing within Suhakam to initiate such an inquiry following serious allegations that around 100 inmates were assaulted by more than 60 prison wardens using batons and tear gas.
Twentytwo13 was the first to report the incident at Taiping Prison that led to the death of Gan Chin Eng, 62, (main image, inset) who reportedly sustained “abdominal injury caused by blunt trauma”. He died after being rushed to Taiping Hospital.
The mother of an inmate previously told Twentytwo13 that her son was among those allegedly beaten – while handcuffed and with his face covered by a T-shirt. She also claimed that her son did not receive proper medical treatment, and was only given stitches at the prison for head injuries.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, the Home Ministry, Health Ministry, Prisons Department, police, and Attorney-General’s Chambers have remained largely silent.
The only known development came from Perak police, who told this publication last month that they had submitted investigation papers to the state legal department.
However, the state legal department and the Attorney-General’s Chambers have declined to comment on the status of the case.
Suhakam launched its own investigations into the case. Its officers visited Taiping Prison and the Batu Gajah Correctional Facility between Feb 24–27 and March 10–14.
