Sungai Buloh prisoners refuse food over water dispute
Some prisoners in Sungai Buloh prison have refused food in protest over what they claimed is racial discrimination in a water dispute.
When contacted, a family member of a prisoner said they have been on hunger strike for three days.
"My husband has been on hunger strike due to the racist attitude of officers at the Sungai Buloh prison," she told Malaysiakini.
She said her husband had constantly complained to her that Indian prisoners were being discriminated...
Some prisoners in Sungai Buloh prison have refused food in protest over what they claimed is racial discrimination in a water dispute.
When contacted, a family member of a prisoner said they have been on hunger strike for three days.
"My husband has been on hunger strike due to the racist attitude of officers at the Sungai Buloh prison," she told Malaysiakini.
She said her husband had constantly complained to her that Indian prisoners were being discriminated.
Another source told Malaysiakini that the latest dispute was after a prisons officer allegedly refused to give water to Indian prisoners.
"The prisoners who were unhappy with the prisons officer started a hunger strike since Wednesday," he said.
However, when contacted, Sungai Buloh prison director Rosoman Abu Bakar said the facility was facing water problems and Indian prisoners were unhappy that Muslim prisoners received water.
However, he said the water was meant for Muslims prisoners to perform their prayers.
"We are facing water problems. It's fine in the morning and night but in the evening, there is low water pressure so we have to ration water.
"Yesterday evening, when we gave water to Muslim prisoners for prayers, the Indian prisoners were dissatisfied as they did not get so they boycotted dinner that was served by the prison," he said.
However, Rosoman denied that a hunger strike was ongoing, claiming that they have their own food. He said some 20 prisoners were involved.
Prisoners are allowed to purchase their own food using coupons which are billed to their relatives.
"I can confirm that they refused food last night but there is no hunger strike," he said.
He added that there was a procedure to fill in forms to inform the prison about hunger strikes but the prison had not received any such document.
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