Disease, not abuse, was the cause of death of most of the 38 detainees in police custody between 2002 and 2003, according to an internal security ministry response to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

According to information in an appendix in Suhakam's recently released Annual Report 2004, the ministry said 29 deaths were disease-related.

There were four suicide cases, three deaths in the course of attempting escapes and two as a result of fights with other detainees.

Suhakam had taken up the matter with the ministry, after it received complaints from non-governmental organisations and families of the dead detainees who alleged police abuse and violations of human rights.

The annual report also provided a breakdown of complaints involving the police force last year ( see table ), including the alleged death of Francis G Udayappan who went missing while being interrogated for theft at the Brickfields police station.

'Rules followed'

In its responses, the ministry specifically denied all allegations levelled by Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees being held at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping, Peraak.

Among their complaints were that they were not allowed access to recreational activities and exercise; that they were not allowed to meet their lawyers or families; of delays in receiving medical treatment; and that their bank savings passbooks and automatic teller machine (ATM) cards were held by the police.

The ministry generally said there were "no threats or obstruction", and that detention conditions are based on rules and discipline to ensure security, rehabilitation and control of detainees.

It further said detention camps are fully equipped with recreational amenities to which detainees have access.

In claiming that priority is placed on detainees' health, the ministry said treatment is provided to any of them who requires it - and that a medical assistant would determine if a detainee needs further treatment in a hospital.

"Directives relating to speedy treatment of a detainee have long been in place and the procedures have to be followed," said the ministry.

"Treatment and referral to a specialist will depend on the advice of a specialist or the hospital. The camp authorities are not allowed to refer a detainee for treatment without a recommendation from the hospital."

It further said lawyers are allowed to meet detainees but that they had to write in advance to fix the date and time.

However, the ministry pointed out both the detainee and lawyer would be subjected to security checks and that this should not be deemed "a deliberately obstacle" to the meeting.

On the complaint that police were keeping detainees' bank books and ATM cards, the ministry said the camp authorities should write to the police to investigate the situation.

It added that families are allowed to meet detainees once a week for 30 minutes each time. In cases considered urgent and important, the frequency and duration may be increased.