New Torture and Death in Custody Cases Reflect Critical Prison System: Proposed Section 63A Must Be Withdrawn
SUARAM is deeply alarmed by two recent cases of torture and death in custody we received involving Temiang Prison and Simpang Renggam Prison. These two new cases come closely on the heels of the tragic incidents at Taiping Prison, proving that the state of our penal system remains critical, characterised by a severe lack of structural change, failing oversight mechanisms, and a culture of impunity.
Case 1 - Death in Custody at Temiang Prison
Last month, a 69-year-old prisoner at Temiang Prison passed away while serving a two-month sentence, just a week before his scheduled release on 29 June. On 22 June, his family was contacted by prison officials stating that their father was critically ill and had to be brought to the hospital. Ten minutes after the initial contact, they were informed that he had passed away. This sudden loss came as a shock, since the victim had no underlying health conditions. To make matters worse, the family members were barred from viewing the body on the same day, with prison authorities claiming that it had already been sealed.
Case 2 - Torture in Custody at Simpang Renggam Prison
We also received a call from a family member who informed us that their brother in Simpang Renggam Prison had been tortured on 4 June 2026, where he sustained grievous injuries to the sole of his foot from being caned with a pipe by a prison warden. Despite a police report being made and the prison department taking notice of this case, no safety measures have been put in place. The victim has yet to be transferred to another prison and remains trapped in the same facility as the officer who abused him.
This crisis comes at a deeply concerning time as discussions take place regarding the introduction of a new Section 63A into the Prisons Act 1995. This amendment would grant prison officers immunity from legal action over alleged abuses if they acted in "good faith" and had "reasonable belief" that their actions were necessary. Introducing these amendments would be a severely regressive step that effectively shields the prison system from public accountability. Legislation must prioritise transparency, not protect institutional failures.
SUARAM calls for:
the Attorney General’s Chambers to order immediate and transparent inquests into the cause of death at Temiang Prison, as mandated under Sections 334 and 339 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
the prison authorities and the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately provide the families with full medical reports, post-mortem findings, and a clear explanation of the timeline leading to the death.
immediate action to be taken against any prison personnel found to be negligent or complicit in the maltreatment of prisoners pending a full criminal investigation, which includes the transfer of implicated officers to another facility during the investigation period.
the Parliamentary Select Committee to withdraw the proposed Section 63A from the Prison (Amendment) Bill 2026.
How many more lives must be lost before this broken system is finally fixed?
In solidarity,
Azura Nasron
Executive Director of SUARAM
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