DAP man hits out at Hamzah, govt over Covid-19 spike in prisons

 

The Kepayan prison in Kota Kinabalu, which has seen a surge in cases, is reported to be overcrowded like other jails in the country. (Penjara.gov pic)

PETALING JAYA: DAP senator Liew Chin Tong has criticised Home Affairs Minister Hamzah Zainudin and the federal government over the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in prisons.

In a statement, Liew, the former deputy defence minister, said he had raised the issue of overcrowded prisons since April.

“The government actually has had sufficient time to address this issue but, unfortunately, no drastic action was taken by the home affairs minister and federal government.”

Yesterday, Liew said Malaysia reported a record high of 1,228 Covid-19 cases, with 889 coming from Sabah alone. Of this, 502 cases were from the Kepayan prison in Kota Kinabalu.

Liew Chin Tong.

He said 1,156 of the 2,160 inmates have so far tested positive for Covid-19, a ratio of one in two, while Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Masidi Manjun has been reported as saying the Kepayan prison is 81% over-capacity.

“Former deputy home affairs minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed has accused Hamzah of being inefficient in his duties to the point that Covid-19 has hit prisoners all over the country.”

In an interview with Sinar Harian yesterday, Nur Jazlan said overcrowding in prisons and the ministry’s poor handling of the situation has led to Covid-19 spreading easily in detention centres and prisons.

The increase in cases in prisons and detention centres has sparked concerns among NGOs, activists and even MPs.

Liew said he agreed with Nur Jazlan’s view that Hamzah appeared to prefer playing politics instead of resolving the Covid-19 issues related to agencies under his home affairs ministry.

“The government needs to pay more attention to the issue of overcrowded prisons to stop the spread of Covid-19.

“I wish to remind all parties that prisoners too are humans and prison guards are also being infected by Covid-19.”

He added what is happening in the prisons will have an impact on society as the virus could spread from the prisons if it is not contained.

Previously, the Prisons Department announced that it would grant inmates release on licence (ROL) in an effort to reduce crowding in prisons and prevent further Covid-19 infections. - FMT