Muda calls out Saifuddin over torture, custodial deaths

Muda’s Dobby Chew has taken Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to task after the latter told Parliament that Malaysia had no intention to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) for now.

In a statement today, the central executive committee member questioned why Saifuddin had cited laws about caning and whipping in Malaysia as a reason to refrain from ratifying the convention.

“Caning and whipping have always been an issue of contention within UNCAT. However, this has not prevented numerous countries that impose caning and whipping in their jurisdiction from ratifying UNCAT.

“This also includes countries that maintain and practise syariah law.

“The home minister who leads various enforcement agencies should not be sidetracked by caning and whipping but address the core message of UNCAT, which is the prevention of torture,” said Chew.

Chew also questioned Saifuddin over the number of past custodial death cases that remain unresolved, after the minister said there have been no deaths in police custody inflicted by the authorities since he took over the ministry.

According to Saifuddin, all the deaths recorded in prisons, police lockups and Immigration Department depots since 2022 were health-related.

“While it is commendable that deaths in police custody have been reduced within the government records, past custodial cases remain unresolved with perpetrators of torture and abuse in custody walking free.

“Until today, the Madani government has yet to address Teoh Beng Hock’s death. They have not initiated criminal actions against the perpetrators either,” said Chew.

He said if the government was sincere in the prevention of torture, it should hold a formal public inquiry into custodial deaths and prosecute perpetrators involved in torture and abuse in custody.

“It should study the ways for Malaysia to achieve ratification and introduce appropriate legislation and amendments to criminalise the use of torture by enforcement agencies and state actors,” he added.

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