Media Statement No. 30-2026_Final Decision – Public Inquiry into Human Rights Violations During and After the Incident on 17 January 2025 at Taiping Prison, Perak

The incident at Taiping Prison drew national attention, a HCD had died and more than 30 police reports were made.

A Public Inquiry was carried out by SUHAKAM in February 2026. 

Finally, Suhakam Media Statement and Report have been delivered. 

The findings are indeed damning ::

As a result of the Public Inquiry, the Inquiry Panel confirmed that human rights violations against the HCDs (aka High Court Detainees) had occurred during and after the incident on 17 January 2025 at Taiping Prison, Perak, as follows:
i. Excessive physical violence was inflicted by a large number of prison staff against the HCDs during the transfer operation from Hall B to Block E on 17 January 2025;
ii. Prison staff abused the use of weapons and security equipment such as batons and pepper spray;
iii. Negligence and incompetence among senior officers of Taiping Prison;
iv. Serious overcrowding issues at Taiping Prison;
v. Prolonged remand detention periods;
vi. Financial allocation constraints from the Government;
vii. Negligence and failure in providing medical treatment to injured HCDs;
viii. Elements of falsification in medical record documentation;
ix. HCDs were subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment following the incident on 17 January 2025;
x. Police reports lodged against the HCDs contained false information;
xi. The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) failed to conduct a separate investigation into the acts of violence committed by prison staff against the HCDs; and
xii. Significant delays by the Attorney General’s Chambers in reviewing the PDRM investigation papers and initiating charges in court.

In this regard, the Public Inquiry Panel has proposed the following recommendations:
a) Disciplinary action to be taken against the management and staff of Taiping Prison;
b) PDRM to conduct a separate investigation into the acts of violence committed by prison staff against the HCDs;
c) To conduct a comprehensive study on alternatives to remand and imprisonment in addressing prison overcrowding issues;
d) To abolish the practice of the bucket system at Taiping Prison and all prison institutions;
e) To conduct regular and comprehensive training to all Taiping Prison staff;
f) To ensure that detainees’ basic needs are consistently met;
g) To improve medical and healthcare facilities in prison institutions;
h) To review the continued operation of Taiping Prison at its current site, taking into account its gazettement as a Heritage Building; and
i) Accession to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).

(End of SUHAKAM findings.)

Other findings reported elsewhere concerned several police reports lodged by prison officers against detainees contained false and inaccurate claims portraying the inmates as the aggressors.

Prison medical staff had also played a role in assisting Taiping prison authorities to conceal the true incident and protect prison officers from blame. Prison medical staff attributed the injuries of inmates to falls and omitted references to trauma caused by prison officers.

Need more be said of this shameful incident which happened on 17th January 2025.  

The full report of the SUHAKAM Public Inquiry can be accessed HERE - SUHAKAM Report

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