THE authorities are set to launch Custodial Medical Units at five central police lock-ups next year to address the wellbeing of prisoners and detainees, said Suhakam.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia said that this was part of their recommendation to ensure all prisoners get proper medical attention and to address issues of deaths in custody.

Suhakam Commissioner Jerald Joseph said that currently there were no medical officers placed in police lock-ups.

This, he said, was despite there being a need for medical examination for a suspect detained in the lockup in accordance with the Regulation 10 of Lockup Regulation 1953.

“Suhakam is working with the police and the Health Ministry so that healthcare in police lock-ups will be addressed.

“The original plan was to launch these clinics by the end October, but now I think only January or February after lockdown eases,” he said at a press conference today.

The health units will be implemented at five central lock-ups, in Jinjang Central lock-up (KL), Shah Alam Central lock-up (Selangor) Bayan Baru Central lock-up (Penang) and Indera Mahkota Central lock-up (Pahang).

According to Suhakam, there are over 700 lock-ups in Malaysia and more than 400 are used to detain suspects.

Joseph said that up to October 31, Suhakam was investigating 14 cases of death in custody. 

“This includes complaints received from family members, civil society groups and Suhakam’s own initiatives. 

“There were six deaths in prisons, six in lock ups and two at Immigration depots.”

He said the actual number of custodial deaths could be higher than stated. 

“For prisons, there must be an increase in the number of medical officers (doctors and medical assistants).

“In addition to the total workforce, medical facilities at clinics in prisons should also be upgraded.

“This addition is necessary to improve the standard of health care and also because of the large number of prisoners.”

As for immigration depots, he said, currently, only medical assistants are housed at immigration depots.

“Since health issues at the depot are complicated and (due to) the density of detainees, there should be at least one doctor in addition to the MA assigned at the depot.” – November 12, 2020.