Another inmate is suspected to have died as the result of the assault of the 100 over prisoners by 60 prison wardens in Taiping prison, which supposedly occurred on 17 January 2025.
The first inmate that had reportedly died due to the incident was Gan Chin Eng, whose family hung a banner and requested justice outside of Taiping prison after his death.
Today ( 28 February) , the family of M Vijian, who had also died from injuries sustained during the riot, has urged the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to investigate Taiping Hospital and Taiping prison over the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to Sisiliya Joseph, the sister of M Vijian, that authorities concealed the injuries he sustained during a prison riot .
Vijian was only admitted to the hospital on Jan 24 although the riot had allegedly occurred a week earlier on 17 January.
“On Jan 24, we received a call from the hospital that my brother had been admitted and was in a serious condition.
“Upon arrival, a warden told us that Vijian suffered from shortness of breath, vomited blood, and fainted during breakfast. Later, a doctor informed us the hospital suspected that he had tuberculosis,” Sisiliya said.
Vijian subsequently died on Feb 15.
Vijian’s family is unhappy that prison authorities did not inform them about his broken ribs, allegedly sustained in custody, although the Taiping Hospital had taken eight X-rays of him.
They were also unhappy that subsequent tests had confirmed that Vijian did not have TB but suffered from severe bacterial infection in his lungs and kidneys.
Despite that, Taiping hospital had been administering TB medication for Vijian since he was admitted to the hospital, the family claimed.
His family, unhappy with the explanation that bacterial infection was the cause of death, have requested an autopsy.
For context, The alleged prison riot in Taiping Prison was discovered when family members of the inmates who visited the prison after the incident were not allowed to meet the prisoners, under the excuse that the inmates needed to be quarantined, although the reason for the quarantine was not given.
Feeling perturbed, the family members contacted the members of the Urimai Party for help.
It is after Urimai party chairman Professor P. Ramasamy and party members visited Taiping prison and conducted a press conference outside the prison gate today ( January 27), that the incident was reported by local media.
According to FMT, Federal police will be taking over investigations into the alleged assault of more than inmates by officers.
Berita Harian has reported that Acting Perak police chief Zulkafli Sariaat has stated that 82 people have given their statements to assist in the probe, including two prison officers.
“Many reports have been made but the case will be escalated to Bukit Aman and a transparent investigation will be held,” he said, adding that for now investigations are being held under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
According to the prison department, a “provocation” had occurred recently involving inmates being transferred from the Batu Gajah correctional facility to Taiping prison.
“The department will not compromise and will take stern action on the party responsible if it is found that there was negligence or weakness in officers following procedures when carrying out their duties,” the prison department also added.
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