Govt must respond to Suhakam report on assault on Taiping Prison inmates

THE findings by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) regarding the assault of more than 100 inmates at Taiping Prison in January 2025, which resulted in the death of detainee Gan Chin Eng, 61, are deeply disturbing. The revelations of excessive violence, abuse of power and alleged false police reports are extremely serious and cannot be ignored.

According to Suhakam's inquiry, prison officers allegedly used excessive physical force, including weapons, during the relocation of inmates from Hall B to Block E. CCTV footage and witness testimonies reportedly provided clear evidence of wrongdoing, while prison management also proceeded with the transfer despite allegedly knowing that Block E suffered from structural damage and unsafe living conditions.

What is most dismaying is that Pakatan Harapan leaders previously spoke strongly about institutional reform, custodial rights and abuse of power when they were in opposition. Today, the rakyat deserve to know what concrete reforms have actually been implemented now that they are in government.

MCA Youth urges Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to explain how the Home Ministry intends to tackle police brutality, custodial abuse and misconduct within enforcement agencies under the current administration headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who being a former convict, has first-hand experience of police brutality behind bars.

Concurrently, MCA Youth also wishes to seek clarification from Nga Kor Ming who is also the Housing and Local Government Minister, what actions he intends to take regarding this serious incident which occurred within his former constituency. As a minister and former Taiping MP, will he raise this matter directly with his Cabinet colleague Saifuddin Nasution? Will he push for concrete institutional reforms, accountability and justice for the victims involved?

The issue here is not merely about one isolated incident. Public confidence in our enforcement institutions will continue to deteriorate if there is no transparency, accountability and meaningful reform. The rakyat must be assured that abuses of power will not be tolerated regardless of rank or position.

MCA Youth also calls on the Home Ministry to immediately disclose the status of investigations, disciplinary action and institutional reforms following Suhakam's findings. Accountability must not stop at lower-ranking personnel alone if there were elements of negligence, abuse or cover-up involving senior management.

The government must prove that its promises of reform were not merely political slogans. Justice, transparency and accountability must apply equally to all, especially when lives have been lost in custody.

Neow Choo Seong

MCA Youth information chief and Barisan Nasional Youth communications director