THE families of 21 men held under security laws want the government to answer for the abuse that allegedly took place to the detainees in custody.

The families claimed the men, all held under Security Offences Special Measures Act (Sosma), have been subjected to abuse at the drug rehabilitation centre in Jelebu Prison, Negri Sembilan from 3.30pm to 8pm on April 8. 

They said this in a memorandum sent to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today. 

Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph said it would also be looking into the claims made by the family members. 

Sevan Doraisamy of Suara Rakyat Malaysia, which was assisting the families, said many uniformed and non-uniformed persons at the centre had assaulted the 21 men with pipes, sticks and chairs. 

“The detainees were ordered to go in pairs into a dark room and strip naked, and then sprayed with pepper powder on the private parts. 

“Officers then made all of the 21 lie down, naked, on their stomachs, with their hands behind their backs and beat them with hoses, pipes and sticks. 

“One of them suffered broken finger and the officers did not arrange for any of the detainees to be medically examined or treated,” said Sevan. 

He added that the inmates were denied food, water and clothing for about 24 hours. 

Earlier this month, family members told the press that their loved ones were arrested in 2019 under Sosma after being suspected of being involved in organised crime. 

The detainees were sent to the Jelebu prison to be quarantined after a court case last month, following which about half of them were moved to the Sg Udang Prison in Malacca. 

The Jelebu incident comes in the wake of the death of A. Ganapathy, who is said to have succumbed to injuries sustained during police interrogation. 

In the Ganapathy case, police have said they are gathering evidence and will ask the attorney-general to order a coroner’s inquest. – May 20, 2021.