NGO calls for inquest into Pokok Sena inmate's custodial death

An NGO has called for an inquest into the death of Zaidi Abd Hamid at the Pokok Sena Prison on Oct 7, although the Prison Department said the initial autopsy stated bacterial infection as the cause of death.

Hayat chief executive officer Dobby Chew said an inquest is the only effective process to identify the cause of death and determine whether any other factors contributed to the death.

“As the Prison Department has expressed its confidence that all processes were complied with, Hayat believes that the department has an interest in ensuring that the inquest is held.”

Malaysiakini reported last week that Suhakam received a report regarding the death of a man incarcerated at Pokok Sena Prison, allegedly after the administration of a caning punishment.

According to the report sighted by Malaysiakini, the family of inmate Zaidi, was informed of his death at 2am on Monday (Oct 7).

Zaidi, 49, was initially sentenced to death in 2015. However, after the abolition of the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia, his sentence was revised on Sept 10 to 33 years in prison, along with 12 strokes of the cane.

Prison Dept responds

The department has responded to the case, by initiating an internal investigation to review whether the standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed.

To date, no SOP violations have been identified and further investigations are ongoing, the department said earlier.

It added that as a follow-up to the initial autopsy, it was verified that death was caused by a bacterial infection in the blood.

However, Chew said Zaidi’s untimely demise raises significant questions concerning the existing SOP around caning and whether they are appropriate or effective.

He added that Zaidi was known to have suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes but was “approved” for caning despite the risk of further complications.

“Furthermore, resource limitation within the department is a known fact, and it is highly problematic to carry out caning sentences when the department itself may not have the necessary resources to ensure that each inmate who underwent the punishment is provided with the appropriate care.

“Until the SOP around caning is reviewed to ensure that it does not excessively harm inmates beyond what the law has mandated and that the department is accorded the necessary resources to comply with the SOP, Hayat calls for a moratorium on caning as a judicial punishment.”

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