KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 42 deaths in custody were recorded in 2025, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the figure comprised eight cases in prison and 34 under police care including 22 deaths while under police detention and 12 in police lock-ups.
Investigations found the cases were mainly due to health factors such as heart attacks, strokes and complications from chronic illnesses, he added.
“To ensure transparency, every death in custody is thoroughly investigated by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), including post-mortems, internal inquiries and, where misconduct is suspected, referral to the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC),” he said in a written reply on Thursday (Feb 5).
He was responding to Hassan Abdul Karim (PH–Pasir Gudang), who had asked about the recent number of deaths involving suspects in police lock-ups and inmates in prison, and the measures taken to prevent such incidents.
Saifuddin said the ministry has tightened standard operating procedures for lock-ups and prisons, improved health screening and monitoring of detainees and inmates, boosted integrity and detainee-handling training for enforcement personnel, and expanded the use of CCTV with regular compliance audits.
He stressed that the ministry is committed to safeguarding the safety and welfare of detainees and will not compromise on any misconduct.
