Human rights watchdog Suaram said the cabinet's decision to resolve overcrowding problems at the notorious Simpang Renggam detention camp does not resolve basic human rights problems stemming from detention without trial.

"Detainees in Simpang Renggam are deprived of their basic human rights to an open and fair trial," said Suaram coordinator E Nalini in a statement yesterday.

She was commenting on the results of a recent visit to the detention camp by a cabinet delegation led by Works Minister S Samy Vellu.

Samy claimed that there were no human rights abuse in the centre but lamented that the lack of water and overcrowding had led to health problems faced by detainees.

Cabinet subsequently approved the building of extra cell blocks to ease overcrowding. The detention camp meant for 2,000 is presently housing 4,200 inmates detained without trial under the Emergency Ordinance and Dangerous Drugs Act.

Breeding ground for abuse

In addition, the controversial detention camp is also often cited by human rights activists as deplorable and unsanitary.

On Jan 4 last month, allegations of physical abuse by warders surfaced, prompting a speedy probe by Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

Such conditions, said Nalini, along with indefinite detention faced by the detainees, was a breeding ground for rampant human rights abuses.

"In order to address the problems in the detention centre, detention without trial must be abolished immediately to accord the right to trial and seek redress in court to the detainee," she said.