Uthayakumar calls for RCI to look into prison reforms

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer P. Uthayakumar is applying for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be set up to look into prison reforms in Malaysia.

He is calling for the Prime Minister, on advice of the Attorney-General, to propose to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to set up the commission.

He filed his criminal application at the KL High Court’s criminal registry on Friday.

Uthayakumar, who was jailed two years for sedition, added that transvestite prisoners should be jailed separately and taken care of by women wardens to avoid abuse.

Uthayakumar said he or any other human rights lawyer should head the commission and be paid a salary to investigate written complaints.

He is applying for two other human rights lawyers to be appointed as a director and a deputy at each prison and be paid a salary.

The lawyer is also applying for the parole programme at all prisons nationwide to be led by a human rights lawyer.

He added that prisoners at all prisons nationwide should be given healthcare and medical treatment by specialists.