‘Uthaya given medical treatment’

The Prisons Department refutes allegation that P Uthayakumar was not given proper medical treatment

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prisons Department has denied that prisoner P Uthayakumar is not given proper treatment and facilities as claimed by a certain newspaper and blog.

The Deputy Director of Prison Policy, Supri Hashim said Uthayakumar was a prisoner who was undergoing a jail sentence at the Kajang Prison following a valid court order.

“The subject is not a political prisoner or political detainee as described by a certain party and should not be given special treatment compared to the other prisoners as requested by a certain party,” he said in a statement, here today.

He explained that the place for serving a sentence and rehabilitation, treatment including medical care given to the convict must be based on the stipulation contained in the Prisons Act and Regulation.

“The treatment is given to a particular convict based on the advice and recommendation of the medical officer treating the convict and not based on the personal requirement of the convict concerned,” he said.

Supri said the food and other facilities given to Uthayakumar were based on the recommendation of the doctor who examined and treated him.

Between May 5 and July 23, he had received nine medical examinations and health treatment from the prisons’ panel of doctors and outside hospital because of several ailments he had complained of.

“Like other convicts who need medical facilities, Uthayakumar is also provided the same right, in fact he had received special food as a diabetic patient,” he said.

Supri also advised Uthayakumar’s wife and certain parties against issuing inaccurate statements or that contradicted the actual move taken by the Prisons Department.

He said it was the responsibility of the prison staff in managing the convict Uthayakumar and more than 39,000 other inmates and the department would not neglect their rights and requirements.

- Bernama