Only two out of 284 custodial deaths in the last 16 years were due to injuries inflicted by the police, said the government.

This is according to statistics provided by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in a parliamentary written reply to DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran.

Kulasegaran had asked about the number of deaths that occurred in police custody, the causes and whether any police officers faced disciplinary actions for them.

According to the data provided, of the 284 custodial deaths between 2000 and 2016, 117 were Malays, 63 Indians, 59 Chinese, nine of other races and 36 were foreigners.

In the same period, only two custodial deaths were due to police-inflicted injuries, which happened in 2009 and 2013.

The other causes were HIV (36), asthma (seven), heart attack (23), other diseases such as liver, heart, ulcer, lungs, throat (166), brain haemorrhage (16), suicide by hanging (32) and fight with inmates (two).

In terms of action, Zahid said of the 284 cases, there were seven prosecutions.

Of the prosecuted cases, there were two convictions, two acquittals, one discharge not amounting to acquittal, while two more cases are still pending.

The status of the remaining cases are as follows: inquest in progress (11), inquest completed (92), no inquest (110), referred to deputy public prosecutor (26), under investigation (22) and no further action (one).

As for prison statistics, Zahid said 131 prisoners were injured between 2010 and February 2017.

“The injuries were due to carelessness of their own when they were working or from falling,” he added.

He said that all cases were referred to doctors at government hospitals and the detainees received treatment based on the standard operating procedures.

Zahid stressed that the police are committed to prevent custodial death cases.

“The ministry will not compromise or protect any police officer or enforcer who are suspected of using force against detainees resulting in injuries or death,” he added.