KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 16 — Five Taiping Prison officers are currently facing disciplinary action proceedings, while a prison officer has been charged in court following an attack on more than 100 prisoners that killed a prison inmate last year.
In an incident on 17 Jan 2025, the media reported that more than 100 prisoners at Taiping Prison were attacked by about 60 wardens during the transfer process from Ward B to Block E, resulting in the death of one prisoner, Gan Chin Eng.
The Malaysian Prisons Department (JPM) in a statement on Monday confirmed that action against the prison staff involved was taken following an examination of the report and conclusions of the Public Inquiry Panel of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) regarding the incident.
According to the JPM, it has provided full cooperation to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to ensure that the investigation is carried out independently, transparently and thoroughly.
“The results of the investigation led to a charge against a prison staff member under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code. At the same time, five other prison staff are facing disciplinary action proceedings implemented by the JPM,” the statement said.
The JPM said the action reflects the department’s continued commitment to upholding the principle of accountability without protecting any individual found to have violated the law, regardless of rank or position.
“The department practices a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct, abuse of power or violation of the law in the service,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the SUHAKAM Public Inquiry Panel in its final decision on the inquiry into the incident also recommended that Taiping Prison be turned into a museum because it was no longer suitable for use as a prison institution.
In a related development, the JPM, through the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN), is committed to continuing the prison infrastructure modernisation agenda, including planning the construction of a new complex to replace the aging institution.
According to the statement, Taiping Prison, which is now 146 years old and has the status of a National Heritage Building, is among the institutions identified as needing immediate replacement.
“The construction of new facilities that are more modern, safe and conducive is important to increase the efficiency of institutional management, strengthen security aspects and preserve the welfare of prospects and prison officers,” he said.
— BERNAMA
