The cabinet has ordered four ministers to visit the Simpang Renggam detention centre in Johor and report back to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the conditions there.

The four are Works Minister S Samy Vellu, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Effendi Norwawi, Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn dan Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Samy Vellu, who revealed this today, said the order was issued after he raised the numerous complaints regarding the detention centre from the families of detainees at the cabinet meeting.

According to Bernama , he said the complaints were mainly from the families of Indian Malaysian detainees.

"We will submit a report and proposals (after the visit)," Samy Vellu, who is also MIC president, was quoted as saying by Bernama.

He said the four ministers will carry out individual assessments on all the aspects, including medical facilities for the detainees.

Samy Vellu said their report is important to ensure that those sent to the centre are rehabilitated and can return to society.

Prisoner beatings

Recently, Simpang Renggam inmates had alleged that they were beaten by the warders, resulting in 16 being sent to the hospital.

One inmate, who contacted malaysiakini shortly after the incident, claimed that ratan canes and batons were used to beat them after they were made to squat on the floor.

Following this, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner N Siva Subramaniam visited the centre on Jan 8.

He revealed that there were prima facie evidence of abuse by the warders.

The commissioner also gave the police an one-month deadline to probe the incident, failing which, it said a public inquiry will be launched.

Simpang Renggam holds some 4,000 inmates detained without trial under the Emergency Ordinance 1969 and the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.