456 Death in Custody in 2020 - 363(Prisons), 50(Immigration), 34(Police) and 9 (National Anti-Drug Agency)

456 Death in custody in 202o is just too much - Persons sentenced to prison must serve their time and come out alive..

34 Death in Police Custody - but still no INQUESTS for every death in custody..

An inquest can be a short process, where an independent Coroner makes a finding on the cause of death, whether any criminality involved..

So, why is Malaysian government against a reasonable request - not just reasonable but a LEGAL REQUIREMENT..

Suhakam: 456 deaths in custody across 2020

Friday, 22 Oct 2021 04:58 PM MYT

BY RADZI RAZAK

Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph speaks during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur October 22, 2021. ― Picture by Firdaus Latif

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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 ― The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) said several agencies reported as many as 456 deaths in their custody for 2020, the majority of which involved prisoners.

According to Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph, the Prison Department reported 363 deaths, followed by the Immigration Department (50), police (34), and the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) that reported nine.

“Health factors were still listed as the main cause of death.

“In 2020, Covid-19 pandemic also contributed to the number of deaths,” he said in a press conference today.

Jerald said Suhakam has reiterated its suggestion for the Ministry of Health to establish a Custodial Health Unit to have a specific role to manage health services in detention centres.

Suhakam Commissioner Datuk Mah Weng Kwai also called for the government to implement a law as proposed by the Bar Council to empower inquiries into such custodial deaths.

“One death in custody is one too many. If the coroner rules it as natural causes, it will be acceptable but if anything other than it, it should not be happening,” he said. - Malay Mail, 22/10/2021