Deaths in custody are on the rise but according to police, only two out of the hundreds in the last decade is their fault, National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) said.

Suhakam said police statistics show 242 persons died under their custody since 2000 to February 2014.

"Since 2010, the number of deaths (every year) has been increasing from 9 to 20 in 2013.

"However, according to police, from a total 242 deaths, only two were attributed to police," Suhakam’s 2014 report launched today reads.

"The figure indicates there may be systematic problems in managing and handling detainees in police lock-ups," it said.

Interestingly, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in a written reply in Parliament said four police personnel have been disciplined over deaths in custody.

Ahmad Zahid (right) , however, did not specify the time frame.

Outcry over a spate of deaths in custody prompted Suhakam to conduct a study on the matter, with the aim of improving detention conditions and management. The report will be ready later this year.

Health reasons were often reportedly the reasons for deaths in custody.

From its visit to prisons, Suhakam said there are "high levels of mental illness, chronic and communicable diseases and even disability among prisoners".

"It has also been observed that much more can be done to address the health needs of prisoners, who too often return to the community in poorer health,” the report read.

Excessive force

The commision also heard complaints from the public over excessive use of force during detention, arrest and investigation.

Complainants alleged police did not inform of grounds of arrest nor were next-of-kin informed of the arrest or allowed visits.

There were also allegations that police had told complainants to withdraw police reports in order to avoid investigating, the report read.

Valuable of suspects were allegedly not returned, while period of detention were extended through re-arrests, Suhakam noted.

The complaints were reverted to the police secretary at Bukit Aman for further action, it said.

Suhakam: We're worse than a toothless tiger