PUTRAJAYA: The findings of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) public inquiry into incidents at Taiping Prison are deeply disturbing and demand immediate attention, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
Gobind, who is also the DAP national chairman, was responding to Suhakam’s report, released on May 25, which detailed human rights violations at the prison.
Suhakam described the abuses and negligence uncovered during the inquiry as evidence of systemic failures in the prison’s management and administration.
“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 more than 100 other inmates,” Gobind said.
“This is a blatant violation of basic human rights and human dignity protected under the Federal Constitution.
“In light of these revelations, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) 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.
“This incident occurred in January 2025. It involved 100 inmates. Surely, apart from the inquiry carried out by Suhakam, action ought to have been taken against those responsible.”
Gobind noted that charges had been brought against an officer in connection with Gan’s death under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code.
On Dec 19, 2025, prison warden Ryndee O’Nel Victor, 25, claimed trial at the Taiping Magistrate’s Court to a charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code.
“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.
“Prisoners have rights too. Action in cases involving abuse in custody must reflect the seriousness with which the law views those empowered to detain abusing that power, particularly when lives are lost as a result.
“This is a case which yet again underscores the need for comprehensive reforms around detention in prisons and police stations in our country.”
Gobind said prisons were not above the law and reiterated that 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 he would raise the matter at next week’s Cabinet meeting.
“Issues such as medical negligence and the falsification of medical records must be dealt with firmly as well. The police and the Attorney-General must act, and steps must be taken to ensure incidents like these do not recur,” he said.
Twentytwo13 was the first to report the incident at Taiping Prison that led to Gan’s death. Gan reportedly sustained abdominal injuries caused by blunt-force trauma and died after being rushed to Taiping Hospital.
Suhakam’s assisting inquiry officers, Simon Karunagaram and Mohd Faiz Abdul Rahman, led the inquiry. Lawyers T. Shashi Devan and Yoges M. Verasuntharam represented the families of 99 detainees, including Gan’s.
The Prisons Department was represented by Amirah Abdul Razak, while Andrew Khoo of the Malaysian Bar held a watching brief.
Earlier today, DAP Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng described Suhakam’s findings as damning and shameful for Taiping Prison, particularly the discovery of false claims in police reports lodged by prison officers against detainees.
“The top management of Taiping Prison cannot escape responsibility for what appears to be a cover-up of violence, false reporting, and abuse of weapons that occurred on their watch,” Lim said in a statement.
“I call for punishment against the top management and prison staff involved in the incident, including suspension, disciplinary action, and criminal prosecution where offences are disclosed.”
