Son of alleged riot death victim at Taiping Prison says Suhakam report only 'the beginning'

The son of inmate Gan Chin Eng, who died after allegedly being beaten by prison officers at Taiping Prison, has described a damning inquiry report by Suhakam as only the beginning of the next step.

The 20-year-old dentistry student, who requested anonymity, said he has yet to find closure and that his family remained devastated by the death of his father, 62, on Jan 17 last year.

“We are already at a low point following my father’s death. It can’t go lower than this,” he was quoted as saying by online portal TwentyTwo13.

“Hopefully, the government will take Suhakam’s findings seriously and bring more officers to justice.

“I have not found any closure at all because only one person has been charged over my father’s death.

“I will discuss our next move with the lawyers. This feels more like the beginning of the next step,” he reportedly said.

Suhakam previously initiated a public inquiry on alleged human rights abuses in Taiping Prison, following the death of Gan, with the inmate said to have died after a warden purportedly assaulted him during a riot.

The student said he was still coming to terms with his father’s death, some 16 months after the incident.

“The family is still in shock over what happened, but life has to go on,” he said.

“I still can’t believe my father is gone, but I’m doing well in my studies and have another three years to complete my course.”

Gan had been remanded at Taiping Prison since 2020 for a drug-related offence and was awaiting a court hearing when he died.

He was among inmates transferred to the Batu Gajah Correctional Facility before being returned to Taiping Prison on Jan 16, 2025, due to overcrowding.

Suhakam’s public inquiry found that abuses and negligence at Taiping Prison pointed to systemic failures in the prison’s management and administration.

During the inquiry proceedings, Prison Department commissioner-general Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak said the inmates refused to move to the block because of its improper toilet facilities, which use bucket toilet systems, and the Public Works Department had also said the blocks were not safe to occupy.

READ MORE: Suhakam: Officers instigated Taiping Prison riot, detainees’ human rights violated

According to the inquiry, tensions rose after inmates who were ordered to move from Hall B to Block E refused, claiming the block was in a dilapidated condition.

Last Jan 17, about 60 officers wearing riot gear and equipped with body armour, batons, pepper spray, and shields entered Hall B, where the alleged beatings took place.

In its findings released on May 25, Suhakam concluded that Gan’s death constituted a serious violation of human rights.

The inquiry identified four contributing factors:

• Violence against Gan;

• Delay in providing medical treatment;

• Negligence in providing medical treatment; and

• Lack of emergency medical facilities.

‘Senseless’ loss of life

According to TwentyTwo13, Gan’s brother-in-law, SM Heng, also described the findings as offering only partial closure.

“We should not forget that Gan was a remand inmate who had not been proven guilty. To lose his life in such a senseless way is too painful for the family,” he said.

“Suhakam’s call for charges to be brought against all prison officials involved in this incident – for abusing inmates, giving false testimony, and falsifying reports and records – also included prison medical personnel.

“I guess it is too far-fetched to expect all of them to be charged.

“The next thing is to watch whether the government will carry out the recommended reforms, which we doubt it will,” he was quoted as saying.

Heng also reportedly urged civil society groups and non-governmental organisations to continue pressing for long-term reforms.

“Otherwise, everything might be forgotten or swept under the carpet,” he said.

Call to improve prosecution

Suhakam further called on the Attorney-General’s Chambers to improve the efficiency and transparency of prosecutorial decisions.

It also recommended the establishment of a separate “Justice Ministry” to coordinate and reassess the criminal justice system, including prosecution, the judiciary, and the implementation of sentences.

In addition, it urged the Health Ministry to take action against the prison’s medical officer and assistant.

Following the release of the report, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the findings were deeply disturbing and that he would raise the matter at the next cabinet meeting.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh likewise called for greater transparency from the relevant authorities.

He said Suhakam’s findings served as a timely reminder of the importance of institutional reform and urged the Madani government to heed the recommendations if its reform agenda was to be taken seriously.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry said it would investigate allegations involving its medical personnel.

Its deputy director-general (public health), Dr Ismuni Bohari, said the ministry took the findings seriously and would not compromise on professional negligence, violations of clinical governance, or non-compliance with medical practice standards.

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