The Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights is still unable to fulfill its planned task of investigating the alleged human rights abuses during a recent riot at the Kamunting detention centre.

The caucus - headed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz - submitted a request to the Internal Security Ministry in mid December to visit the centre but has yet to receive a reply.

The caucus' assistant secretary, DAP parliamentarian Fong Poh Kuan, said today that she had asked Nazri to help expedite the government's approval.

"Seeing that we have yet to get a reply, I spoke to the (caucus) chairperson yesterday asking him to find out from Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar our request status," she added when contacted.

The caucus was formed last month following calls made by parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, who is the caucus' vice-chairperson. The call was made after contradictory claims arose on the reasons behind the riot.

'Violent beatings'

In the Dec 8 incident, 12 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees were alleged to have started the melee during a 'routine' spot check by preventing prison guards from carrying out the inspection.

However, the detainees, family members, interest groups and lawyers have accused the prison authorities of orchestrating the riot and committing grave human rights violations - such as violent beatings - during the check.

Contacted later, an aide of Nazri, speaking on behalf of the minister, said the caucus members will definitely visit the camp but could not specify a date.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said on Monday that it has yet to decide on whether to hold a public inquiry into the assault claims during the incident.

It is reported that the failure to decide on and initiate the inquiry till now, has disappointed anti-ISA lobbyists.