The prisons department commissioner-general told a public inquiry into alleged rights abuses at Taiping prison that his officers never behaved like gangsters in the discharge of their duties.
Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak said mistreating inmates was not part of the department’s culture, adding that prisoners were managed in line with internationally accepted minimum standards, known as the Nelson Mandela Rule.
Aziz insisted that the Jan 17 incident which led to the death of detainee Gan Chin Eng was an isolated incident.
“How many reports (about assault) come from Taiping prison in a year?” he said.
“This incident, which was caused by a few individuals, has tarnished the prisons department’s image.”
Inquiry chairman Hishamudin Yunus then pointed out that CCTV recordings showed prison officers behaving aggressively, kicking the inmates and threatening them.
“They looked like gangsters (in the CCTV) and they were not afraid of any consequences. Don’t you feel disturbed after watching it?” he asked.
Aziz said he was “upset” that the officers had acted beyond their powers.
Hishamudin: So, did you take any action against the officers?
Aziz: We left it for the police to investigate first. We cannot practise double jeopardy.
Hishamudin: The court process and discipline proceedings have different burdens of proof.
Aziz: We are still waiting for the police (investigations). As long as they are not charged (in court), we cannot suspend them.
Aziz added that the officers allegedly involved in the Jan 17 incident had been transferred out of Taiping prison.
Hishamudin then asked the prisons chief whether his officers had attended any anger management classes.
“Some of them came (to the inquiry) and said they have not gone for any courses in a year,” the inquiry chairman said.
In response, Aziz said prison officers had to attend seven days of anger management classes every year.
“Maybe they did not attend,” he added.
The inquiry concluded after Aziz completed his testimony.
Hishamudin said the panel would hear submissions from the legal representatives of Gan’s family, the prisons department and the Malaysian Bar on Dec 15.
The Suhakam inquiry is investigating allegations that more than 100 inmates at Taiping prison were assaulted by around 60 wardens during a relocation exercise from Hall B to Block E on Jan 17.
The inquiry, led by Suhakam chairman Hishamudin and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki, is also looking into claims that one inmate died and several others were injured as a result of the alleged abuse.
