The Lock-Up Rules 1953 which includes a provision that stipulates detainees must have their heads shaved will be fine-tuned following the infamous 'Botakgate' incident in February.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum told the Dewan Rakyat today that his ministry is reviewing the draft of the amendments and it will be sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"The concerned amendments including Section 9A has resulted in confusion at the district police station level," he said during the question-and-answer session.

"(The amendments) are expected to be gazetted in July this year," added the deputy minister in his reply to Yap Pian Hon (BN-Serdang).

Section 9A of the Lock-Up Rules stipulates that 'every prisoner except of a Sikh accustomed to keeping his hair long on religious grounds, shall on admission have his hair cut close'.

To a supplementary question from Yap, Johari said apart from Section 9A, the amendments will also include other relevant sections which are "outdated based on the cases happened".

In February, 11 elderly men from Balakong were shaved bald by the police after they were caught playing a game of mahjong - a tradition during the Chinese New Year celebration.

The incident has since caused an uproar and debate on the interpretation of Section 9A.

Bribery in lock-ups?

In another supplementary question, Syed Hood Syed Edros Alhaj (BN-Parit Sulong) complained that the amount of RM4.10 provided to each lock-up detainee for their daily meals is too low.

He also complained about the "lack of a good system" in lock-ups, for instance detainees are usually not allowed to meet with visitors or outsiders.

"This opens up the chance for bribery, where if we pay a bit of money, then we will be allowed to meet the detainees," said the backbencher.

However, the deputy minister did not respond directly to this but merely noted, "We have heard different types of stories".

"For your knowledge, we provide detainees with toothpaste, tooth brush and soap once they are detained in Kuala Lumpur now.

"Before this, we never gave (the above items). We spend about RM3 per head on these detainees, this involves a big sum so I don't think their meals should be seen as a problem."