A police lockup described by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) as being in a "deplorable" condition was closed down a year ago, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said.

"The Home Ministry knew about the poor situation here, the lockup was 100 years old. It has been closed since July 27, 2016.

"(The) Suhakam report was outdated," Nur Jazlan said in a text message to Malaysiakini.

According to him, the Ayer Molek lockup in Johor Baru, which is located in his Pulai parliamentary constituency, has been moved.

"(We closed the Ayer Molek lockup) because it has been moved to Simpang Renggam, a newer jail," he said.

Nur Jazlan’s statement is at odds with Suhakam chairperson Razali Ismail’s report of a site visit by Suhakam on July 31 this year.

Razali said that the facility posed a health hazard for detainees, who were not given adequate food and water.

In a statement released yesterday, Razali said the lockup should be shut down if "acceptable standards" cannot be maintained.

"Suhakam is of the view that the conditions are so poor, that they amount to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment.

"We reiterate that treating persons deprived of their liberty with humanity and respect for their dignity is a basic and universally applicable tenet," the Suhakam chairperson said.

Razali also expressed concern over poor sanitation, overcrowding and the lack of medical facilities at the lockup, which allegedly violated Lock-up Rules 1953 and had led to the spread of infectious diseases.