Gobind presses IGP, AG over Suhakam’s Taiping prison assault findings

 The DAP national chairman says the findings point to a blatant violation of basic human rights and dignity protected under the Federal Constitution.

Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo said Suhakam’s findings on the Taiping prison incident would be raised in the Cabinet next week. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo has demanded answers from the inspector-general of police and the attorney-general following Suhakam’s findings on the assault of over 100 inmates at Taiping prison in January 2025 that left one detainee dead.

Gobind, who is also the digital minister, said Suhakam’s findings from its public inquiry pointed to a blatant violation of basic human rights and dignity protected under the Federal Constitution.

“In light of these revelations, the IGP must come forward with full transparency and state clearly how many police reports were lodged over the incident and exactly what criminal action had been taken against those responsible,” he said in a statement.

He also said the AG must explain why a heavier charge was not preferred against Taiping prison warden Ryndee O’Nel Victor over the death of inmate Gan Ching Eng, given Suhakam’s finding of calculated, group-enforced physical violence on the detainee.

Ryndee had claimed trial to a charge under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in December.

Gobind stressed that action must reflect the abhorrence with which the law viewed instances of those empowered to detain people abusing that power and where lives were lost as a result.

“Issues such as medical negligence and the falsification of medical records must be dealt with firmly as well,” said the Damansara MP.

Gobind emphasised that there must be accountability and that this case demanded that the law should take its full course, regardless of the aggressors’ rank.

He added that he would be raising the matter in the Cabinet next week.

Suhakam yesterday called for criminal charges to be filed against Taiping prison officers involved in the assault of inmates in January 2025, which left one dead and almost 100 injured.

Following the conclusion of its public inquiry on the incident, Suhakam said CCTV footage and witness testimony provided clear direct evidence of wrongdoing.

While a warden had been charged with culpable homicide, Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus, a former Court of Appeal judge, said criminal investigations should also be launched into other officers involved in the incident.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng yesterday called for heads to roll among Taiping prison’s top management, saying Suhakam’s findings were damning and shameful, especially the discovery of false claims in police reports lodged by prison officers against detainees. - FMT