The Malaysian Parliamentary Caucus on human rights is in the process of obtaining approval from the Internal Security Ministry to send a fact finding team to probe alleged human rights violations at the Kamunting and Simpang Renggam detention centres.

"We are not sure how many will be in the team as that depends on the ministry's clearance," said Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang when contacted today.

The Ipoh Timor MP is also the deputy chairperson of the caucus, which was formed on Tuesday following his calls . It is headed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

In Kamunting, the 22-member caucus will investigate the recent riot that left several inmates and camp personnel injured.

Authorities claimed that the commotion erupted when 12 detainees, all of whom are being held for their alleged involvement in terrorism, prevented security personnel from checking their block.

However the inmates, their families and lawyers claimed that the authorities had orchestrated the riot and committed grave human rights violations such as severely beating the detainees.

The Kamunting camp in Perak is where Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees are held. The law allows for indefinite detention without trial of individuals suspected of undermining national security.

Hunger strike

As for the Simpang Renggam centre in Johor, Lim said the team will look into the recent hunger strike launched by 236 inmates to protest their continued incarceration and poor living conditions.

The human rights caucus, is the third parliamentary caucus to be formed this year. The other two caucuses are on Burma and Southern Thailand .

Also in the human rights caucus are vice-chairpersons Kamaruddin Jaafar (PAS-Tumpat) and Wan Azizah Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh). Another opposition parliamentarian Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) has been elected secretary and assisted by Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah).

"In the caucus BN (ruling government coalition) is represented mainly by Umno (largest coalition component party) members. We are encouraging more parliamentarians to join the caucus," said Lim.

The 22 only represent a handful of the country's 219 parliamentarians. One member in particular, Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) is part of all three caucuses, which parliamentarians join voluntarily.

Nazri, who oversees parliamentary affairs, also sits in the three caucuses.

Lim sees the long-term aim of the latest caucus as to demonstrate parliamentarians' role in the forefront of addressing human rights concerns.

"We also plan for a forum and exchange with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) to find out what problems they face in carrying out their human rights mandate," the veteran politician added.

Nazri, who is tied up with the Dewan Negara sitting, was not available for comment.