KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is taking seriously allegations that a medical officer attempted to alter a medical report to cover up the circumstances surrounding an assault on inmates by warders at Taiping Prison on Jan 17, 2025, that resulted in the death of 62-year-old inmate Gan Chin Eng (main image).
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said the ministry had established a task force to look into the allegations.
“I would like to thank the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) for its comprehensive report on the incident at Taiping Prison last year,” she told the Dewan Rakyat today.
“The investigation is still ongoing. The team will examine all relevant documents, interview witnesses, establish the facts of the case and question the doctor concerned.
“If it is proven that misconduct occurred, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the medical officer. Whether any wrongdoing has been committed will be determined by the law.”
Medical officer Dr V. Navin Esavik of Taiping Prison and assistant medical officer Muhammad Fadhil Mohamad Yusoff had testified during Suhakam’s inquiry into human rights violations at the facility last year. The commission conducted a public inquiry into the incident over three months in 2025, hearing testimony from 50 witnesses and reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showing warders assaulting inmates.
Twentytwo13 was the first to report the incident at Taiping Prison that led to Gan’s death. He reportedly sustained an “abdominal injury caused by blunt trauma” and died after being rushed to Taiping Hospital. Other inmates were also injured during the incident.
Hanifah added that the ministry appointed the task force on June 3, following the release of Suhakam’s inquiry findings on May 26.
“The ministry will not compromise on professional ethics. If the allegations are substantiated, disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993,” said Hanifah.
Suhakam chairman Datuk Seri Hishamudin Yunus, who headed the inquiry panel, said the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Medical Council should conduct a comprehensive investigation and take appropriate disciplinary action against the medical officer and assistant medical officer at Taiping Prison over negligence and breaches of professional ethics and responsibilities.
Hanifah said the ministry was reviewing the matter and holding engagement sessions with the Malaysian Prisons Department to address technical issues involving prison healthcare services.
The ministry is also establishing an institutional health unit to monitor and review healthcare standards in prisons. The initiative is expected to commence on Oct 1, and discussions with the Prisons Department are ongoing.
The ministry will also continue to work closely with Suhakam and other relevant stakeholders on the matter.
