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Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Taiping prison officer admits using pepper spray to ‘weaken' inmates
Led by Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki, the inquiry is examining claims that brutality at Taiping prison resulted in the death of one inmate and injuries to several others. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A Taiping prison officer has admitted to using pepper spray during an inmate relocation exercise in January, despite not knowing the rules or having any training on its proper use. Zairulazy Napiah, a corporal, told a Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) inquiry that although the use of pepper spray was not part of standard operating procedures, he used it anyway to 'weaken' the inmates. He said even though it was not standard issue for officers like him, he was supplied with a baton and pepper spray on that day. Zairulazy said the spray was used in a sweeping manner and not aimed at anyone in particular. Asked if such use was appropriate, he said: 'I was just aiming to irritate their eyes, not blind them.' Pressed further, he admitted he would not be okay if the same was done to him. He also conceded that he had never undergone any training or received a briefing on the proper use of pepper spray. Suhakam is carrying out the inquiry into the alleged assault of more than 100 inmates by about 60 prison wardens during the relocation exercise from Hall B to Block E of Taiping prison on Jan 17. Led by Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki, the inquiry is also examining claims that the alleged brutality resulted in the death of one inmate and injuries to several others. Zairulazy initially denied using any physical force and said he only used pepper spray. However, after several other witnesses identified him in the CCTV footage, he eventually admitted it was him. He justified his actions by citing emotional provocation, claiming that although the inmates were seated and physically non-threatening, they were shouting verbal abuse. Another officer admits excessive force used by colleagues In a separate testimony, warden Fazdrul Rosaiman Dalves, one of four officers selected to wear full body armour during the relocation, said at least two officers wearing such protective gear had used excessive force during the operation. Fazdrul said he routinely carried pepper spray as part of his duties but did not use it on Jan 17. He said he was assigned to guard the front entrance of the hall and had limited visibility due to his fogged-up helmet visor. He said prison officers were instructed during a briefing to use batons to intimidate inmates, not to injure them. 'It's wrong to hit them at will,' he acknowledged. Fazdrul confirmed seeing other officers kicking inmates and acknowledged that some prisoners were injured. Although he appeared in the CCTV footage 'hitting' an inmate, he insisted that he was merely guiding him. 'It wasn't a blow to the head or a slap, just a touch,' he said. Although he claimed he did not kick or strike any inmate, Fazdrul admitted to pulling one by the shoulder and attempting to kick him after being provoked by verbal abuse. 'I was frustrated … but I'm certain the kick didn't land,' he said. The inquiry continues.
Free Malaysia Today
24-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
CCTV footage contradicts warden's claim in Suhakam inquiry
Suhakam is investigating the alleged abuse at Taiping prison, which is believed to have resulted in the death of one inmate and injuries to several others. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A Taiping prison warden was captured on CCTV spitting on an inmate, debunking his earlier claim that he fled from a hall to avoid being attacked by some prisoners. At a Suhakam inquiry into the alleged abuse of over 100 inmates by 60 wardens earlier this year, chairman Hishamudin Yunus had questioned the warden, Ahmad Rizal Razan's version of events. Rizal had previously claimed, in his police report, that he ran from Hall B as he feared for his safety on Jan 16. The inmates had gathered in the hall as they were to be transferred to another prison block. However, Hishamudin said based on the CCTV recording, Rizal had not fled in haste. 'In fact, you raised your hands twice and spat (at the inmates),' Hishamudin said, before showing Rizal the footage. Rizal, however, denied spitting on the inmates, saying he was merely speaking to them in an 'aggressive' manner. 'I became emotional. Who wouldn't? I don't remember what occurred nor have I seen this video,' Rizal said. Hishamudin then referred to the police report in which he claimed he had run from the hall as the inmates 'rose to their feet and wanted to attack me'. Hishamudin: So, this is not true? Rizal: It's the truth. I was pushed, then I left the hall in a hurry. Hishamudin: But you never mentioned you were pushed in your report and then left the hall in a hurry. Instead you wrote 'I fled the location because I thought they were going to attack me'. This doesn't look good. Separately Rizal, who is in charge of screening the prisoners, also claimed that he was consistently provoked by the inmates. And on that fateful day, according to Rizal, the prisoners threatened to kill him. 'In all my 11 years never have I been threatened with murder. I was emotionally disturbed and I had to leave the hall to calm myself down,' he told the inquiry. Suhakam is investigating the alleged abuse, which is believed to have resulted in the death of one inmate and injuries to several others.
Free Malaysia Today
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Witnesses in Taiping prison inquiry barred from viewing CCTV footage
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki are leading the panel overseeing the inquiry. KUALA LUMPUR : Suhakam has instructed the Taiping prison department to bar all upcoming witnesses in an ongoing public inquiry into alleged human rights abuses at the prison from accessing the related CCTV footage. The inquiry follows claims that about 60 prison wardens assaulted more than 100 inmates at Taiping prison on Jan 17. Suhakam is investigating the alleged abuse, which is believed to have resulted in the death of one inmate and injuries to several others. Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki are leading the panel overseeing the inquiry, with Hishamudin expressing concern that allowing witnesses prior access to the CCTV recordings could compromise the accuracy of their statements. He issued the directive after it was revealed that prison officer Mustakhim Abdul Rahim had viewed the classified footage in advance, along with an officer named Rizal and three others identified only by their nicknames. Mustakhim admitted to viewing the footage with the approval of a deputy prison director, citing the six-month gap since the incident and his need to 'refresh his memory'. However, Hishamudin and Farah questioned why such access was permitted, pointing out that the footage was classified and should not be used to influence or prepare witness testimony. Hishamudin emphasised that advance viewing of the CCTV recordings would undermine the integrity of the inquiry. 'If every witness is allowed to view the CCTV beforehand, they'll come in well-prepared – not to uphold justice, but to protect themselves,' he said. The panel further ruled that any notes brought into future sessions must be vetted, after observing that Mustakhim's responses appeared scripted rather than based on genuine recollections of the event. Mustakhim was also issued a warning by Hishamudin and Farah midway through today's inquiry after he persistently denied involvement in the events shown in the CCTV footage. According to the footage, a man identified as Mustakhim by 10 different witnesses – both officers and inmates – was seen beating and kicking prisoners. Mustakhim, however, repeatedly denied being the individual captured on video, stating, 'It looks like me, but it isn't me.' He also claimed the footage was 'too blurry' for him to confirm the identity of the person shown. Throughout the session, the panel noted that Mustakhim frequently responded with, 'I don't know' or 'I'm not sure,' and claimed he could not recall many details of the incident. Pressed about his alleged memory lapses, including his failure to recall key actions such as kicking or hitting inmates, Mustakhim said his attention had since shifted to other matters. 'I went on holiday on Jan 20 for three weeks, so my focus was on my family,' he said. Hishamudin and Farah warned that a police report could be lodged against Mustakhim if he continued to withhold or distort the truth despite the evidence presented. The inquiry resumes tomorrow.
Free Malaysia Today
10-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Suhakam slams Taiping prison warden for lying at public inquiry
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus, who also chairs the inquiry panel, had rebuked the Taiping prison warden Raja Masrul Azan Raja Mansor for attempting to downplay his involvement in the Jan 17 incident. KUALA LUMPUR : The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today accused a Taiping prison warden of lying during a public inquiry into the alleged abuse of over 100 inmates, questioning his inconsistent statements in light of video evidence. During the third session of the inquiry, prison officer Raja Masrul Azan Raja Mansor, 29, was repeatedly grilled over his role in a controversial operation earlier this year that allegedly led to the death of one inmate and injuries to many others. Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus, who also chairs the inquiry panel, rebuked Raja Masrul for attempting to downplay his involvement in the incident and for claiming uncertainty over what was shown in a CCTV footage. 'You say that you're not sure, but the video clearly shows you hitting the inmates. How do you expect us to believe you?' Hishamudin asked. When Raja Masrul insisted he did not intend to harm anyone, Hishamudin said: 'It's so obvious that you had hit (them). Why do you keep lying? Your baton struck a prisoner who was already on the floor.' The officer earlier admitted that he was equipped with a baton and pepper spray during the incident while several colleagues wore body armour and carried shields. 'I was given a baton and pepper spray. That's what we prison wardens normally carry. After the briefing, we were ordered to go to Hall B. It was chaotic. I saw some inmates not cooperating with the officers,' he said. When asked if force was used because some inmates refused to cooperate, Raja Masrul replied: 'I didn't see anything.' Pressed further, he denied using force himself but later admitted seeing injuries on some inmates after the incident. 'I saw some with injuries on their heads and bodies,' he said. Raja Masrul was then questioned by the panel on the legality of him bringing a mobile phone into the prison, after he admitted taking pictures during the incident. 'I was ordered by my officer-in-charge (OC) to take photos of what was happening. I was just following orders,' he said. Raja Masrul maintained he did not record any video footage, but could not explain why the CCTV appeared to show him holding a phone and chasing an inmate. Asked whether he could see himself hitting a prisoner in the footage, Raja Masrul said: 'I'm not sure. I tried to hit but it didn't land.' Hishamudin: Then why did you raise your baton? Raja Masrul: I don't remember. The panel also questioned his claim that he was merely trying to scare the inmates. 'I didn't hit them. I was just trying to scare them and the baton accidentally struck the inmate,' Raja Masrul said. This prompted Hishamudin to question Raja Masrul's credibility. 'If you're lying about this, how can I believe you only took photos and didn't record videos?' he asked. The prison officer then said he could not remember whether he recorded a video or only took pictures, adding that he had been ordered to record the incident and hand it over. In yesterday's inquiry session, the panel also reprimanded deputy superintendent Teuku Hasbi Tarmizi over his evasive answers when questioned on the details of the incident. Suhakam is holding a public inquiry to investigate claims that some 60 prison wardens assaulted inmates at Taiping prison on Jan 17. The fourth session of the inquiry is scheduled to take place from July 23 to 25.
Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Suhakam panel chides Taiping prison official for being evasive
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki were on the panel holding the inquiry today. KUALA LUMPUR : The Suhakam panel probing the alleged abuse of Taiping prison inmates on Jan 17, which led to one death, reprimanded a prison official today for being evasive during an inquiry into the incident. Taiping prison deputy superintendent Teuku Hasbi Tarmizi, 38, who is among the prison's top five officials, was testifying as a witness during the public inquiry when he gave non-committal answers to questions from the panel. Hasbi had repeatedly said he was 'not sure' when asked whether he had ordered a light strike force team to be prepared to move the purportedly uncooperative inmates from a hall to another block. This prompted Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus to say: 'Please speak the truth, you're testifying under oath. You can't always say 'I'm not sure'.' Hasbi acknowledged Hishamudin's reprimand and answered that he did not order an LSF team to be prepared to transfer the inmates, who had refused to be relocated. He was reprimanded by Hishamudin again after evading questions about the police investigation into the incident, for which he was summoned twice. 'It's like you're finding it difficult to answer the question. Please answer and be honest,' the former Court of Appeal judge said. 'What did you testify about? Did they not tell you why you had to testify, the purpose of the investigation?' Suhakam commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki pointed out that the police had received reports from Taiping prison, the next of kin of the deceased inmate, as well as the family members of other inmates who were allegedly abused. When asked repeatedly which case he was summoned to attend, Hasbi remained silent. Hishamudin then said he would note it down as the witness having no answer, to which Hasbi replied it was because he could not remember. 'I think the police investigating officers told me but I can't remember which case it was,' he said. 'Are you afraid of implicating your colleagues?' After viewing CCTV footage of the incident at the inquiry, the Suhakam panel asked Hasbi if he agreed that violence had been used by prison personnel on the inmates. He remained silent. Hishamudin: You were summoned to testify to assist in the inquiry. Your attitude right now is not helping us. Are you trying to hide something? Hasbi: No. Hishamudin: Then just answer the questions, they're very easy. Do you see any violence used by the personnel on the inmates? Hasbi did not answer the question, saying instead it was 'more (due) to emotion'. Farah reminded him that their question was whether he agreed that violence had been used on the inmates, not the cause of the incident. She pointed out that one inspector Rizal could be seen in the video stomping on a few inmates several times. Farah: Is that violence and cruelty or is that normal? Hasbi: It's not a norm. So maybe it's violence. Farah: So you confirm that violence was used? Hasbi: Yes, but I did not (witness) the incident. Based on the CCTV footage, then maybe it's violence. Asked what he, as a superior officer, did to stop the incident, Hasbi said he shouted at them. However, he said he could not recall what exactly he had shouted. Hishamudin asked if he was fearful of testifying at the inquiry because he might implicate his colleagues, which Hasbi denied. Hishamudin: Then why do you need to take so long to think? Why aren't you answering the questions, as if there's something you're afraid of?. Hasbi: I'm not afraid but I'm just unsure. Hasbi said the prison personnel involved did not stop assaulting the inmates despite him shouting as the situation had gone out of control. When Farah asked if this meant that his subordinates would not follow his orders once a situation went 'out of control', he replied: 'Maybe.' Suhakam is investigating claims that more than 60 officers assaulted more than 100 inmates, resulting in one death and many others being injured. The inquiry continues until July 10, and from July 23 to July 25.
