31/05/2026

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday MAY 31, 2026

Malaysian Bar demands action over Suhakam findings

CYBERJAYA: The Fire and Rescue Department is stepping up preparations for heatwaves and forest fires amid expectations of drier weather linked to the El Nino phenomenon. Its director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the department held a special meeting with all state fire directors two weeks ago to ensure this year’s preparations are more comprehensive than before. “We have made thorough preparations. Last year, we completed the procurement of 70 compact vehicles, which were widely used during recent fires, and 80 additional portable pumps to strengthen our readiness,” he said after the department’s Qurban Kasih 2026 programme yesterday. Nor Hisham said priority is being given to deploying high-capacity pumps where water sources are available, as well as using excavators or heavy machinery to create firebreaks when water supplies are insufficient. “We have also informed the National Disaster Management Agency that enforcement patrols by the police, the Department of Environment and district offices should continue to prevent open burning,” he said. On this year’s forest fire outlook, Nor Hisham said current forecasts and readings based on the El Nino situation in the Pacific indicate conditions are not expected to be severe. “The situation is not too critical, only slightly higher than usual. MetMalaysia is expected to issue alerts from time to time on locations or states requiring closer attention,” he said. Meanwhile, Nor Hisham said Malaysia was appointed for the first time as vice-president of the Confederation of Fire Chiefs of Asia and Oceania during the organisation’s general assembly involving 24 member countries. He described the appointment as a significant recognition for Malaysia in the confederation, which was established 60 years ago to strengthen cooperation among fire chiefs in the Asia Oceania region. “The platform facilitates the exchange of expertise, ideas and best practices among member countries, particularly in addressing disasters and emergencies across the region.” – Bernama Dept ramps up readiness for heatwaves, forest fires the time. Meanwhile, Langkawi district police chief ACP Khairul Azhar Nuruddin said the body was found about 100m from the location where the victim was reported missing. He added that the case has been classified as a sudden death report. – Bernama

Calls mount to close Taiping Prison and hold officials accountable for inhumane conduct

testimony to Suhakam, leading the inquiry panel to explicitly conclude that these actions were designed to conceal what happened and protect those responsible. “The record is clear. All remand detainees were in a non-resistant and non-aggressive state, sitting cross-legged with heads bowed and hands placed on their heads,” he said. Anand said the conditions to which detainees were subjected were deplorable. “For days following the tragic incident, they were deprived of basic personal hygiene items, forced to sleep on bare floors in blood-stained clothing, compelled to bathe in contaminated water and denied contact with their families,” he said. Anand also stressed that detainees remain innocent until proven guilty and are entitled to constitutional protections.

handcuffed and non-resistant men. “One detainee, Gan Chin Eng, 62, suffered internal injuries and died,” he said, adding that what followed the incident was simply disgraceful. “In an attempt to cover up the truth, prison officers fabricated threats allegedly made by detainees to justify the violence, with multiple officers providing nearly identical narratives. “Police reports were falsified and medical records were altered – treatment dates were changed and injury descriptions manipulated – to obscure the truth. “Some photos and videos recorded during the incident were deleted. An internal investigation was conducted but resulted in no disciplinary action, despite clear evidence of violence by the prison authorities. “Witnesses provided false

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

unsuitable and in poor condition, with a bucket sewage system, serious structural damage, flood risks and inadequate facilities. “From the witnesses, the inquiry panel was told that Block E was indeed unsuitable for accommodation and for these reasons, I wish to firmly state that Taiping Prison should cease operations as a detention facility.” He said despite being aware of the prison’s poor condition, the prison management proceeded with the transfer. “The detainees’ peaceful protest was met with overwhelming violence. Prison officers deployed steel and wooden batons, pepper spray and boots against

IPOH: An inscription left at the summit of Gunung Batu Putih near Tapah has confirmed that missing hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, (pic) successfully reached the peak. A member of the Perak Forestry Mountain Guide (MGP) team, who wished to be known only as Hafiz, said he discovered the inscription upon arriving at the summit while serving as the rear guard or “sweeper”, for the Trans Spencer Chapman hiking expedition. “Yes, she (Jaslinda) reached the summit, but she did not leave any indication of where she went or which trail she took. She only informed us that she had reached the top,” he told Bernama when contacted. He said the inscription, which read Hafiz ambik gambar akak dah sampai (Hafiz, take a photo, I’ve reached the summit), was left by the victim because her mobile phone battery had run out at an early stage of the hike. “She probably reached the summit of Gunung Batu Putih at about 10am (on May 24). I arrived at around 10.45am and noticed the inscription at about 11am. So, she wanted to let me know that KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar is appalled by the findings of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) following its public inquiry, which spanned 29 days and heard testimony from 50 witnesses on the events of Jan 17, 2025, at Taiping Prison. Its president Anand Raj said in a statement that Suhakam’s inquiry panel found that the detainees did not provoke, attack or behave aggressively towards prison officers. “Their refusal to be transferred to Block E of Taiping Prison stemmed from the block being

Inscription confirms missing hiker reached peak

The inscription that was left on the ground by Jaslinda after reaching the summit of Gunung Batu Putih.

obtain a water source. Jaslinda was reported to have begun the Trans Spencer Chapman hike at 2am on May 23 with 13 other participants and two MGP guides via the Pos Gedung Gunung Bah Gading-Gunung Batu Putih-Kuala Woh route.

after hiking the mountain. Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said yesterday that the SAR operation would focus on the Sungai Ayer Busok area, which is believed to have been the route taken by the missing hiker to

she had made it to the summit,” he said, adding that he later photographed the inscription using his mobile phone. Earlier, a drone was deployed to assist in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for Jaslinda, who has been missing since May 23

Body of jet ski operator found off Langkawi coast ALOR SETAR: The body of a man feared drowned after he was believed to have attempted to retrieve a drifting jet ski off Jalan Pantai Tengah in Langkawi yesterday has been found. Nashran Abdul Maser, the jet ski operator, was discovered at about 6pm on Friday by a search and rescue team conducting patrols at sea. “The search operation “The search resumed at 6.50am and three jet skis belonging to members of the public were used to locate the victim. At 6pm, the victim’s body was found and brought to the jetty by boat,” he said in a statement.

was handed over to police for further action. Yesterday, media reports stated that a man was feared drowned after he was believed to have attempted to retrieve a drifting jet ski before strong waves swept him into the sea. It is understood that the victim was not wearing a life jacket at

yesterday continued until 2.39am along the coastline, but had to be suspended due to rough seas and strong winds.

Langkawi Zone 4 Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Mohd Zamri Abdul Ghani said the body of 23-year-old Arash

He added that Health Ministry personnel confirmed the victim’s death at 6.48pm before the body