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Free Malaysia Today
26 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Suhakam slams Taiping prison warden for lying at public inquiry
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus, who also chairs the inquiry panel, had rebuked the Taiping prison warden Raja Masrul Azan Raja Mansor for attempting to downplay his involvement in the Jan 17 incident. KUALA LUMPUR : The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today accused a Taiping prison warden of lying during a public inquiry into the alleged abuse of over 100 inmates, questioning his inconsistent statements in light of video evidence. During the third session of the inquiry, prison officer Raja Masrul Azan Raja Mansor, 29, was repeatedly grilled over his role in a controversial operation earlier this year that allegedly led to the death of one inmate and injuries to many others. Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus, who also chairs the inquiry panel, rebuked Raja Masrul for attempting to downplay his involvement in the incident and for claiming uncertainty over what was shown in a CCTV footage. 'You say that you're not sure, but the video clearly shows you hitting the inmates. How do you expect us to believe you?' Hishamudin asked. When Raja Masrul insisted he did not intend to harm anyone, Hishamudin said: 'It's so obvious that you had hit (them). Why do you keep lying? Your baton struck a prisoner who was already on the floor.' The officer earlier admitted that he was equipped with a baton and pepper spray during the incident while several colleagues wore body armour and carried shields. 'I was given a baton and pepper spray. That's what we prison wardens normally carry. After the briefing, we were ordered to go to Hall B. It was chaotic. I saw some inmates not cooperating with the officers,' he said. When asked if force was used because some inmates refused to cooperate, Raja Masrul replied: 'I didn't see anything.' Pressed further, he denied using force himself but later admitted seeing injuries on some inmates after the incident. 'I saw some with injuries on their heads and bodies,' he said. Raja Masrul was then questioned by the panel on the legality of him bringing a mobile phone into the prison, after he admitted taking pictures during the incident. 'I was ordered by my officer-in-charge (OC) to take photos of what was happening. I was just following orders,' he said. Raja Masrul maintained he did not record any video footage, but could not explain why the CCTV appeared to show him holding a phone and chasing an inmate. Asked whether he could see himself hitting a prisoner in the footage, Raja Masrul said: 'I'm not sure. I tried to hit but it didn't land.' Hishamudin: Then why did you raise your baton? Raja Masrul: I don't remember. The panel also questioned his claim that he was merely trying to scare the inmates. 'I didn't hit them. I was just trying to scare them and the baton accidentally struck the inmate,' Raja Masrul said. This prompted Hishamudin to question Raja Masrul's credibility. 'If you're lying about this, how can I believe you only took photos and didn't record videos?' he asked. The prison officer then said he could not remember whether he recorded a video or only took pictures, adding that he had been ordered to record the incident and hand it over. In yesterday's inquiry session, the panel also reprimanded deputy superintendent Teuku Hasbi Tarmizi over his evasive answers when questioned on the details of the incident. Suhakam is holding a public inquiry to investigate claims that some 60 prison wardens assaulted inmates at Taiping prison on Jan 17. The fourth session of the inquiry is scheduled to take place from July 23 to 25.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- 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.
Free Malaysia Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Extend term of Suhakam official probing prison abuse, govt told
Suhakam commissioner Mariati Robert is on a three-member panel holding a public inquiry into alleged human rights violations at Taiping prison. (Suhakam pic) PETALING JAYA : An NGO has urged the government to extend the tenure of Suhakam commissioner Mariati Robert, who is on a panel investigating alleged human rights violations at Taiping prison. Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet) pointed out that the first phase of Suhakam's inquiry had just ended on June 12, and the second phase will be held from June 23 to 26. However, it said Mariati's term as Suhakam commissioner expires on June 22, alongside those of fellow office-holders Noor Aziah Awal, Nordin Ibrahim, K Ragunath, Chew Chee Ming, Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican and Nazira Abdul Rahim. Noor Aziah is serving her second and final term as a Suhakam commissioner while the rest, including Mariati, are eligible to be appointed for a second term. 'Given that Mariati's term ends soon, the public inquiry is at risk if she is not reappointed for another three-year term. 'If not, the public inquiry may have to start again, as all three commissioners on the panel need to hear and consider all evidence and make a decision independently,' Madpet said in a statement. The other two on the panel investigating the incident at Taiping prison, which is said to have led to the death of one inmate and injury to several others, are Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki. Madpet urged Putrajaya not to extend the tenures of Hasnal and Nazira, citing their roles as active members and leaders in Umno. Hasnal is the Selayang Umno chief while Nazira heads the women's wing of the Kulim Umno division. The NGO also suggested that the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act be amended so that a Suhakam commissioner's term of office is raised from three years to six, with no provision for reappointment or term extension. 'This will strengthen the independence of Suhakam commissioners, who are expected to act without fear or favour for human rights. They should not be afraid of angering the prime minister or the government of the day,' it said. It also said the role of the prime minister and government in the appointment of Suhakam commissioners should be removed and allocated instead to Parliament or another independent body.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Give better protection to human rights defenders, Suhakam tells Asean
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus said Asean must ensure those who dare to speak the truth to those holding power are not criminalised. KUALA LUMPUR : Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Hishamudin Yunus has called on Asean member states to provide better protection for human rights defenders across Southeast Asia. He said many such human rights defenders continue to face harassment, threats, detention or even death simply for doing their jobs. 'These individuals, journalists, lawyers, indigenous leaders, women's rights activists and environmental defenders are not enemies of the state,' he said at the Asean Peoples Civil Society Assembly here today. Hishamudin said Asean must ensure that those who speak the truth to those in power are 'not criminalised, but supported'. Governments must enact laws and policies that explicitly recognise and protect human rights defenders, he said. He also highlighted Malaysia's duty as the Asean chair to help shape the trajectory of the Asean Community Vision 2045, which outlines the region's strategic direction for the next 20 years, covering political security, economy, socioculture and connectivity. 'The declared theme of 'Sustainability and Inclusivity' must not remain aspirational rhetoric. 'It must be made real through laws, policies and practices that place the dignity and rights of all at the centre of Asean's social, political and economic integration,' he said. Hishamudin also called on Asean to establish inclusive social protection and promote labour rights, especially for migrants and informal workers. 'Only a united, inclusive Asean can withstand the mounting pressures of a fractured world economy,' he said. Civil societies raise alarm over human trafficking Cynthia Gabriel, founder of the Southeast Asian Anti-Corruption Network, said corruption is at the heart of trafficking, environmental exploitation and even labour abuses. Cynthia Gabriel. 'We believe crime and corruption are transactional – they feed each other. When you see organised crime, you will find corruption lurking in the shadows,' she said at the forum. Cynthia said trafficking, often described as the most lucrative organised crime globally, is difficult to track because of limited data. Last year, the International Labour Organization reported that annual global profits from forced labour and forced sexual exploitation had risen to an estimated US$236 billion. The 2024 US Trafficking in Persons Report said over the past five years, human traffickers have exploited domestic and foreign victims in Malaysia, and they have also exploited victims from Malaysia abroad. The majority of victims are among the estimated 1.5 million documented and an even greater number of undocumented migrant workers in Malaysia. Abu Mufakir, from Indonesia's Koalisi Buroh Migran Berdaulat, said deportation of undocumented migrants from Sabah was not helpful. Amina Rasul. 'Sabah deports up to 10,000 undocumented migrants each year – even babies are detained. But the number keeps rising. 'Mass deportation clearly isn't working,' he said, adding that the authorities need more effective alternatives, as most migrants come from Indonesia and the Philippines to work on palm oil estates. Amina Rasul, of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy, said civil society must continue leading the push for people-centred regional policies, including on migration, labour and human security. 'We cannot wait for the Asean secretariat. Civil society has to lead the way,' she said.
