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Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Suhakam panel chides Taiping prison official for being evasive
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki were on the panel holding the inquiry today. KUALA LUMPUR : The Suhakam panel probing the alleged abuse of Taiping prison inmates on Jan 17, which led to one death, reprimanded a prison official today for being evasive during an inquiry into the incident. Taiping prison deputy superintendent Teuku Hasbi Tarmizi, 38, who is among the prison's top five officials, was testifying as a witness during the public inquiry when he gave non-committal answers to questions from the panel. Hasbi had repeatedly said he was 'not sure' when asked whether he had ordered a light strike force team to be prepared to move the purportedly uncooperative inmates from a hall to another block. This prompted Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus to say: 'Please speak the truth, you're testifying under oath. You can't always say 'I'm not sure'.' Hasbi acknowledged Hishamudin's reprimand and answered that he did not order an LSF team to be prepared to transfer the inmates, who had refused to be relocated. He was reprimanded by Hishamudin again after evading questions about the police investigation into the incident, for which he was summoned twice. 'It's like you're finding it difficult to answer the question. Please answer and be honest,' the former Court of Appeal judge said. 'What did you testify about? Did they not tell you why you had to testify, the purpose of the investigation?' Suhakam commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki pointed out that the police had received reports from Taiping prison, the next of kin of the deceased inmate, as well as the family members of other inmates who were allegedly abused. When asked repeatedly which case he was summoned to attend, Hasbi remained silent. Hishamudin then said he would note it down as the witness having no answer, to which Hasbi replied it was because he could not remember. 'I think the police investigating officers told me but I can't remember which case it was,' he said. 'Are you afraid of implicating your colleagues?' After viewing CCTV footage of the incident at the inquiry, the Suhakam panel asked Hasbi if he agreed that violence had been used by prison personnel on the inmates. He remained silent. Hishamudin: You were summoned to testify to assist in the inquiry. Your attitude right now is not helping us. Are you trying to hide something? Hasbi: No. Hishamudin: Then just answer the questions, they're very easy. Do you see any violence used by the personnel on the inmates? Hasbi did not answer the question, saying instead it was 'more (due) to emotion'. Farah reminded him that their question was whether he agreed that violence had been used on the inmates, not the cause of the incident. She pointed out that one inspector Rizal could be seen in the video stomping on a few inmates several times. Farah: Is that violence and cruelty or is that normal? Hasbi: It's not a norm. So maybe it's violence. Farah: So you confirm that violence was used? Hasbi: Yes, but I did not (witness) the incident. Based on the CCTV footage, then maybe it's violence. Asked what he, as a superior officer, did to stop the incident, Hasbi said he shouted at them. However, he said he could not recall what exactly he had shouted. Hishamudin asked if he was fearful of testifying at the inquiry because he might implicate his colleagues, which Hasbi denied. Hishamudin: Then why do you need to take so long to think? Why aren't you answering the questions, as if there's something you're afraid of?. Hasbi: I'm not afraid but I'm just unsure. Hasbi said the prison personnel involved did not stop assaulting the inmates despite him shouting as the situation had gone out of control. When Farah asked if this meant that his subordinates would not follow his orders once a situation went 'out of control', he replied: 'Maybe.' Suhakam is investigating claims that more than 60 officers assaulted more than 100 inmates, resulting in one death and many others being injured. The inquiry continues until July 10, and from July 23 to July 25.
The Star
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
High-rise tragedies show a systemic failure to ensure child safety, says children's commissioner
PETALING JAYA: Recent fatal falls from high-rise buildings involving children reflect a prevalent failure to prioritise their safety in the home, says the Suhakam children's commissioner. Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said such cases could have been prevented with proper safety measures in place, coupled with awareness and enforcement of safety regulations. "These back-to-back tragedies are not isolated accidents," she said in a statement on Friday (June 6). ALSO READ: Safer high-rises for kids "They are preventable deaths that starkly expose the failure to implement essential safety measures in high-rise residential buildings. "These children did not have to die," she added. She said the recent cases were a direct consequence of a systemic failure to prioritise child safety where it matters most – in the home. "As a party to the (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child, Malaysia is duty-bound to protect every child's right to life, development, and protection from foreseeable harm. ALSO READ: Four-year-old boy dies after fall from 30th-floor of Bukit Jalil apartment "A safe home environment is not a luxury. "Providing a safe home environment is a legal and moral obligation," she said. Her remarks follow the death of a four-year-old boy who is believed to have fallen from the 30th-floor balcony of an apartment in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (June 5) morning. On May 21, a seven-year-old girl fell from the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong, Subang Jaya. On May 17, a boy aged two years and eight months died after falling from the seventh floor of a public housing unit in Precinct 9, Putrajaya. ALSO READ: Seven-year-old girl dies after falling from Puchong condo The Star had previously highlighted the dangers posed to children living in high-rise buildings and suggestions by child activists on how to better ensure their safety. Dr Farah called in both Federal and state authorities, including stakeholders, to urgently implement measures to prevent further tragedies. Among them, she said, were enacting specific laws to enhance child safety in high-rise residential buildings. "This includes making it mandatory for all apartment and flat units, including rental units, to be equipped with safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies. "Additionally, minimum safety design standards for child-friendly high-rise units must be established under existing building laws or regulations," she said. ALSO READ: Boy dies in fall from seventh floor of Putrajaya housing block At present, under the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL), balcony railings of residential high-rise buildings cannot be less than 1m or 1,000mm in height, but local authorities can impose stricter requirements. However, it is mandatory for window grilles to be installed in residential high-rise buildings under the UBBL, although it could be regulated by the building's management or voluntarily installed by the owners. "Current building design for child safety standards must be reviewed and integrated as mandatory requirements in all high-rise residential developments," Dr Farah said. She also called on local authorities to conduct regular and strict compliance inspections of high-rise units, especially rental properties, to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. "To all parents, while we push for reforms to take place, in the meantime, vigilance is key. "If you live in a high-rise residence, never leave young children unattended, and ensure safety measures are installed," she added.
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Boy, 4, dies after falling from 30th floor of Bukit Jalil condo
Cheras police chief Aidil Bolhassan said the case has been classified as sudden death and that investigations are ongoing. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A four-year-old boy died after he fell from the balcony of his home on the 30th floor of a condominium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, today. Cheras police chief Aidil Bolhassan said an emergency call was received at around 11.17am today and a team was deployed to the location immediately, Bernama reported. 'The body has been sent to the forensic unit of Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital and the post-mortem will be carried out tomorrow,' he said in a statement. Aidil said the case has been classified as sudden death and that investigations were ongoing. A 37-second video showing a man believed to be related to the victim crying by the child's body had gone viral. Earlier today, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) called for the enactment of specific laws to enhance child safety legislation in high-rise residential buildings, following the recent deaths of a seven-year-old and two-year-old in separate incidents. Suhakam children's commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said child safety laws to be enacted by the housing and local government ministry should include mandatory safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies for apartment and flat units. She also urged the government to review current building design guidelines, saying they must include minimum safety standards to ensure high-rise units are child-friendly. The seven-year-old girl who died on May 20 fell from a babysitter's home on the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong. Subang Jaya deputy police chief Fairus Jaafar said preliminary findings indicated that the victim climbed out of the window, which had no safety grilles installed. On May 17, a two-year-old boy fell from the seventh floor of a public housing building in Precinct 9, Putrajaya.
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Enact child safety laws for high-rise residential buildings, says Suhakam
Suhakam children's commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki called for regular inspections of high-rise residential units to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. PETALING JAYA : The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called for the enactment of specific laws to enhance child safety legislation in high-rise residential buildings, following the recent deaths of a seven-year-old and two-year-old in separate accidents. 'These back-to-back tragedies are not isolated accidents. 'They are preventable deaths that starkly expose the failure to implement essential safety measures in high-rise residential buildings,' Suhakam children's commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki said in a statement today. She said the child safety laws to be enacted by the housing and local government ministry should include mandatory safety grilles or protective mesh on windows and balconies for apartment and flat units. 'Additionally, minimum safety design standards for child-friendly high-rise units must be established under existing building laws or regulations. 'The ministry and local authorities must also review current building design guidelines to ensure that child safety considerations are mandatory in all high-rise residential developments,' she said. The seven-year-old girl who died on May 20 fell from a babysitter's home on the 29th floor of a condominium in Puchong, Subang Jaya. Subang Jaya deputy police chief Fairus Jaafar said preliminary findings indicated that the victim climbed out of the window, which had no safety grilles installed. On May 17, meanwhile, a two-year-old boy fell from the seventh floor of a public housing building in Presint 9, Putrajaya. Farah Nini called for local authorities to conduct regular inspections of high-rise residential units, especially rental properties, to ensure compliance with child safety standards and features. 'The absence of basic safety features in high-rise homes directly contributed to the loss of these young lives. This is unacceptable in any society that claims to uphold children's rights,' she said.
The Star
26-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Safer high-rises for kids
Safety first: Experts are calling for measures to be taken to curb accidental falls, especially of children, from high-rise buildings. Photo posed by a model. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star Experts reignite calls for better protection in dwellings PETALING JAYA: Two recent fatalities involving children in high-rise residential buildings have reignited calls for enhanced safety regulations, with a focus on balconies and window grilles. Experts have called for a review of the relevant local government by-laws to make such dwellings safe for toddlers and other young children. Children's Commissioner to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Dr Farah Nini Dusuki said the two deaths which occurred within three days made the issue more pressing, with past statistics not to be overlooked. ALSO READ: More than just a view in Singapore and London 'Besides reviewing the existing by-law on balcony height, installing window grilles or netting for high-rise accommodation should be made mandatory. 'The protection of children must override aesthetic considerations,' she said when contacted. On May 17, a two-year-old boy fell to his death from the seventh floor balcony of a public housing flat in Precinct 9, Putrajaya. Following this, a seven-year-old girl who was believed to have climbed out of a window fell to her death from the 29th floor of her babysitter's condominium in Puchong on May 20. Under the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (UBBL), balcony railings of residential high-rise buildings cannot be less than a metre or 1,000mm, but local authorities can impose stricter requirements. CLICK TO ENLARGE It is also not mandatory for window grilles to be installed in residential high-rise buildings under the UBBL, although it could be regulated by the building's management or voluntarily installed by the owners. Child activist Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS agreed that current by-laws were inadequate in preventing accidental falls involving children at high-rise residences. He said what was needed were by-laws that mandated high-rise residential buildings to be fall-proof for children. 'The UBBL should explicitly address child safety in high-rise dwellings,' he said. The paediatrician suggested mandatory installation of invisible grilles at balconies made from strong stainless steel cables that provide a barrier without obstructing the view. (Invisible grilles are a type of safety grille designed to provide protection without blocking the view or significantly altering the appearance of a window or balcony and typically made of thin, high-tensile stainless steel cables spaced closely together to create a barrier.) Dr Amar also proposed window restrictors to limit the maximum opening of windows to between 10cm and 12cm as well as childproof locks on balcony and sliding doors, and windows. 'Accidental falls from high-rise buildings are posing a threat to children's safety, especially with high-rise living becoming more common. 'Young children are naturally curious but may underestimate the danger. 'In addition, cartoon and TV shows on superheroes may give them a false sense of safety,' he pointed out. Dr Amar said constant supervision by parents and caregivers was important although he accepted that it was difficult to keep an eye on children all the time. 'Parents should evaluate the risk of their high-rise apartments and remove all furniture near windows and balconies so that they do not aid children in climbing,' he said. Dr Amar also suggested that the government provide assistance, mainly to the B40 community who live in flats, to child-proof windows and balconies. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said present by-laws on high-rise residential buildings which did not take into account child safety must be reviewed. 'The design of high-rise buildings are more on aesthetics rather that safety. It does not take into account aspects of children prone to playing along corridors. 'The current by-laws must be relooked to address safety concerns involving children,' he said. Lee suggested the installation of motion- sensing CCTVs at all floors of high-rise buildings which will allow security teams to raise an alert if children were at risk. 'This may involve cost, but it is something worth spending on if it can prevent the loss of life,' he added.
