The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has pooh-poohed claims by Works Minister S Samy Vellu that there is no violation of human rights at the Simpang Renggam detention centre.

"Suhakam sticks by its findings," said Commissioner N Siva Subramaniam, who has previously led a delegation to the camp to investigate alleged physical abuse of detainees by warders.

He said prison rules and human rights had been violated during the alleged incident on Jan 4, which saw some 16 inmates being taken for treatment at the Kluang hospital.

Sivasubramaniam also said the ministerial visit to Simpang Renggam has shown that Suhakam's active pursuit for better conditions at the detention centre is a serious issue.

"Those (held at the centre) under the Emergency Ordinance are not (proven) criminals. They are detained under suspicion," he said.

The detention centre holds some 4,200 inmates detained without trial under the Emergency Ordinance 1969 and the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.

On Jan 25, Samy announced that he and three other ministers had been ordered by the cabinet to visit the detention centre and report back on the conditions, following a number of complaints by family members of detainees.

The New Straits Times reported today that Samy Vellu ( photo ) had visited the centre yesterday with Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharom and Fu Ah Kiow, and that he has "seen prisons worse than this".

Bernama , meanwhile, reported that Samy Vellu would report to the cabinet on the issue of overcrowding and lack of water supply at the detention centre. Inmates have developed skin disease as they cannot take a bath regularly.

Sivasubramaniam also said Suhakam would hold a public inquiry into the alleged abuse by prison warders since no action has been taken by the authorities.

Suhakam had given the police a month to complete investigations into the alleged beatings suffered by inmates, failing which it would proceed with the public inquiry.

Three commissioners likely to sit on the inquiry panel are Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Dr Chiam Heng Keng and newly-appointed commissioner Khalid Ibrahim, who is the former director of the Public Complaints Bureau.

"Now we are doing the paperwork to carry out the inquiry. The commissioners will meet on Feb 12th to fix the date," Sivasubramaniam added.