KUALA LUMPUR – Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has demanded immediate action and greater transparency from authorities following what he described as deeply troubling findings by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) into the incidents at Taiping Prison.
Gobind, who is also the National Chairman of DAP said the conclusions of Suhakam’s public inquiry revealed a “harrowing picture of systemic failure”, pointing to allegations of excessive violence, abuse of force against restrained detainees, falsification of medical records and severe medical negligence.
The inquiry found that such actions directly contributed to the death of inmate Gan Chin Eng and injuries sustained by more than 100 inmates.
“The inquiry’s conclusions paint a harrowing picture of systemic failure. It has revealed that excessive physical violence, the weaponisation of batons and pepper spray against handcuffed detainees, the deliberate falsification of medical records and severe medical negligence directly contributed to the death of inmate Gan Chin Eng and the injury of over 100 other inmates,” Gobind said in a statement today.
He described the findings as a blatant violation of fundamental rights and human dignity guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.
Gobind questioned whether sufficient action had been taken by enforcement authorities, noting that the incident occurred in January last year and involved a large number of inmates.
“In light of these revelations, the Inspector-General of Police must come forward with full transparency and state clearly how many police reports were lodged over the incident and exactly what criminal action has been taken against those responsible,” he said.
“Surely apart from the inquiry carried out by Suhakam, action ought to have been taken against those responsible.”
Gobind also raised concerns over the criminal charge brought against a prison officer linked to Gan’s death. He noted that an officer had been charged under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder but questioned whether the charge reflected the gravity of the alleged conduct.
“Given the severe nature of Suhakam’s findings, which detailed calculated, group-enforced physical violence on a restrained individual, the Attorney General must clarify why a heavier charge was not preferred,” he said.
“Prisoners have rights too.”
The minister stressed that cases involving abuse in custody required firm legal action, particularly where authorities entrusted with detention powers were accused of violating those responsibilities.
He said the case once again highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms in detention facilities, including prisons and police lock-ups.
“Prisons are not above and beyond the law and prisoners have rights too. There must be accountability and this is a case which demands that the law takes its full course notwithstanding the rank of the aggressors involved,” he said.
Gobind added that he intends to raise the matter during the Cabinet meeting next week and called for firm action over issues such as medical negligence and alleged falsification of medical records.
“The police and the Attorney General must act and steps must be taken to ensure incidents like these do not repeat in future,” he said. - May 26, 2026
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