Perks behind bars: Hanipa moots regular prison checks after Indonesia scandal

The discovery of swanky villas inside an Indonesian prison has prompted former deputy law minister Hanipa Maidin to question whether the privileged receive special treatment in Malaysian prisons.

His concern is not without historical precedent. In 1989, an inmate at Kajang Prison was reportedly allowed to enjoy a waterbed and other comforts while serving time behind bars.

The nagging question has now prompted Hanipa (above) to call for regular prison inspections to ensure inmates are treated equally, regardless of their wealth, status or connections.

“After all, money and connections can make a difference, and Malaysia is no exception. Although I don’t see the situation being as extreme as in Indonesia, there might always be some creature comforts thrown in for the right price, or following a phone call from the right person,” he told Malaysiakini.

“Consequently, I am of the view that high priority should be placed on mandating both scheduled and unannounced inspections, particularly those conducted by MPs,” he added.

Hanipa’s reference to the 1989 incident involves businessperson Abdullah Ang, who was serving an eight-year prison sentence for criminal breach of trust at Kajang Prison when reports emerged that he had been allowed to leave the prison and enjoy privileges not afforded to ordinary inmates.

The Malay Mail reported at the time that Ang, who died last year, was able to roam freely outside the prison, while his carpeted cell was equipped with a refrigerator and video player.

Clemency fuels equality concerns

Hanipa also cited the additional clemency afforded to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, arguing that it has reinforced perceptions of a two-tier justice system.

“These double standards fly in the face of Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which promises equal justice for all.

“Official pledges that Najib's home confinement will be tightly regulated ring hollow to a sceptical public. Because Malaysia completely lacks dedicated house arrest legislation, the widespread belief that political elites enjoy preferential treatment is hard to deny,” he added.

Najib remains in prison until he settles the RM50 million fine, a condition of his house arrest.

He is serving a six-year sentence after the Federal Court in 2022 upheld his conviction on seven SRC International charges involving RM42 million. The Pardons Board reduced his original 12-year sentence and RM210 million fine to six years and RM50 million in 2024.

He was also convicted in a separate 1MDB case and sentenced to 15 years, which will begin after his SRC sentence, subject to his appeal.

Life in prison

Questions over unequal treatment behind bars also surfaced last month when singer-composer Yasin Sulaiman spoke about his experience following his conviction for drug-related offences, claiming that money and connections could make a difference to life in prison.

He also alleged that drugs could be smuggled into prison by those with the means to facilitate it.

However, Yasin later retracted the claims after the Prison Department denied his allegations.

The issue gained fresh attention yesterday after Malaysiakini reported that Indonesian authorities had uncovered a cluster of luxury accommodation inside Cibinong Prison in West Java.

A surprise inspection by Indonesia’s Ombudsman found more than 10 residential units equipped with air-conditioning, large-screen televisions, refrigerators, sofas, and dining areas.

Investigators also found a gym, a golf simulator under construction, and luxury vehicles parked nearby.

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