28/05/2026

THURSDAY | MAY 28, 2026

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Cabinet to review prison abuse findings next week

Former MACC chief preparing suit against businessman Ű THESUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

“Whenever I go there, there will definitely be cases involving punctured tyres or broken-down vehicles,” he said. According to Amir, his volunteer work is entirely self-funded and mostly carried out during weekends and festive periods when traffic volume increases. However, following the reduction in the Budi Madani diesel subsidy from 300 litres to 200 litres, he now makes fewer trips. Amir said his intention in sharing the warnings online was simply to encourage motorists to be more cautious and better prepared before travelling along the East-West Highway. The Gerik-Jeli route has previously drawn attention due to wildlife-related incidents, including elephant sightings and tiger attacks near the highway. groups and enforcement agencies, particularly over allegations involving prison personnel. Earlier, the Prisons Department said it would extend full cooperation to all relevant authorities reviewing Suhakam’s findings. In a statement, the department said the report, including its findings and recommendations, would be examined comprehensively, thoroughly and with integrity, particularly matters relating to prison management and personnel. It also reaffirmed its commitment to addressing all concerns raised in accordance with existing laws, regulations and correctional standards. At the same time, the department urged all parties not to speculate or draw premature conclusions that could interfere with ongoing investigations and any subsequent action by the authorities. Meanwhile, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo called for greater transparency and accountability in handling the case. Gobind urged the inspector general of police and the Attorney General’s Chambers to clarify the actions taken following Suhakam’s findings, saying those responsible must be held accountable regardless of rank. He said the inquiry’s findings pointed to alleged abuse involving prison personnel. Gobind also questioned why a prison warden was charged under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder despite Suhakam’s findings allegedly suggesting more serious wrongdoing. He further called for immediate action over allegations of medical negligence and the falsification of medical records highlighted in the inquiry. Gobind said he intends to raise the matter at the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

Perdana event. Fahmi the government would carefully study all findings raised by Suhakam before making any policy or administrative decisions. “From the government’s side, we should indeed be concerned about Suhakam’s findings and we will study the matter fully before taking any further action.” The issue has drawn renewed attention following Suhakam’s public inquiry into the January 2025 incident at Taiping Prison, which reportedly left more than 100 inmates injured and one prisoner dead. The inquiry has prompted responses from lawmakers, rights stressed that

Cabinet meeting next week, as scrutiny intensifies over claims of abuse, medical negligence and a custodial death. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the government takes the findings seriously and will study the report in detail before deciding on the next course of action. “The matter was not brought to the Cabinet meeting either last week or this week. Usually, Suhakam’s annual report will be tabled and debated in Parliament. “We will look into whether this issue will be brought up at next week’s Cabinet meeting,” he said yesterday after attending the Lembah Pantai Korban

o Govt expected to deliberate on human rights commission report into alleged incident in Taiping

PETALING JAYA:

Former

GEORGE TOWN: A volunteer who spends nearly every weekend patrolling the East-West Highway between Gerik in Perak and Jeli in Kelantan is urging motorists, particularly first-time users, to avoid travelling along the route after dark and to resist stopping unnecessarily, citing the dual risks of wildlife encounters and the near-total absence of emergency assistance along the isolated 100km corridor. Mohd Amir Faizal, 48, from Sungai Petani, has made it his personal mission to assist stranded motorists on the route officially known as Jalan Raya Timur-Barat. Operating on a self-funded basis mainly during weekends and festive seasons, he said the dangers of the road are often Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki is taking legal action against businessman Albert Tei, with his lawyers preparing the necessary documents to file a suit over allegations that he had threatened Tei in connection with an alleged Sabah corruption scandal. Azam confirmed the move when approached by several media outlets, saying: “Yes, my lawyers are preparing the documents.” He described Tei’s claims as baseless, stressing that he had never had any contact with the businessman, either directly or through a third party. “Honestly, I have never dealt with him, never communicated with him and never sent my lawyer to speak with him,” Azam reportedly said. The dispute follows a police report lodged by Tei on May 13, in which he alleged that Azam had threatened him while he was attempting to expose corruption involving politicians in Sabah. Bukit Aman CID director Datuk M. Kumar subsequently confirmed that police would summon Azam to assist in investigations under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation. Rather than shying away from scrutiny, Azam said he welcomed the police investigation and had already been in contact with the authorities, confirming he was prepared to provide a full statement. He also urged police to investigate Tei as well. The case has drawn considerable attention given Azam’s former role leading the country’s anti-graft agency and comes amid ongoing scrutiny over alleged corruption networks in Sabah. Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya is expected to deliberate on findings by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) on an alleged Taiping Prison incident at the

The Prisons Department said it would extend full cooperation to all relevant authorities reviewing Suhakam’s findings on the alleged incident involving inmates last year. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Volunteer warns of dangers along East-West Highway

roadside, particularly during long festive traffic jams. He frequently uploads safety reminders and warnings for road users on his Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts. During the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri balik kampung period, he said some motorists were seen setting up tables and preparing drinks by the roadside while waiting for congestion to ease. “Sometimes, people stop to prepare milk for their children or sit too long by the roadside,” he said, adding that such situations increase the risk of encounters with wild animals. Amir said he travels along the route almost every week on a voluntary basis to help motorists facing breakdowns, punctured tyres and minor vehicle problems that are usually not handled by emergency responders.

“If your car breaks down in the middle of that road, it’s very difficult to get help. There are no mechanics there, especially at night.” Amir said motorists should ensure their vehicles are properly prepared before using the route, adding that he frequently encounters stranded drivers without spare tyres or proper emergency tools. “Sometimes, they don’t even have a spare tyre. Sometimes, they don’t even have the tools,” he said. He added that rainy conditions further increase the risk of crashes along the highway as oil residue from vehicles can resurface on wet roads. “Most of the accidents I’ve seen usually happen during rainy conditions,” he said. Amir also advised motorists against stopping casually by the

underestimated, especially during peak travel periods. “If possible, don’t use the road at night. This road has elephants, tigers, bears and all sorts of wildlife,” he recently told theSun . According to Amir, elephants are commonly seen emerging from forest areas and lingering near the roadside between evening and early morning. “Usually, elephants come out from the forest and stay by the roadside from about 7pm until 8am,” he said. He said the warning was especially important for inexperienced motorists and those unfamiliar with the East-West Highway. The route cuts through forested terrain and stretches about 100km, with limited access to mechanics, workshops and emergency services.