PUTRAJAYA, Oct 8 — The Special Task Force on the Study of Recommendations and Preventive Measures has agreed to thoroughly review all aspects of the recommendations and preventive measures proposed by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) regarding deaths in custody.
The task force’s chairman Datuk Prasad Sandosham Abraham said that today’s first meeting would also recommend improvements in the governance of lockups, depots, and detention centres to the government and relevant regulatory entities.
“The special task force will work in stages over six months, involving four phases of action, namely visits to selected lockups, depots, and detention centres, submission of detailed feedback including justifications for the recommendations, preparation of the report, and presentation of the report to the government.
“The report is expected to enhance governance in lockups and detention centres by identifying weaknesses in the system that contribute to deaths in custody. It will assist the government in formulating better policies, ensuring accountability of the involved parties, as well as raising public awareness and fostering cooperation between agencies in safeguarding human rights,” he said in a statement.
Prasad, who is also the EAIC deputy chairman, said the commission’s Study Committee Report on Deaths in Custody and the Identification of Preventive Measures was presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the National Governance Special Cabinet Committee meeting on May 7, which subsequently decided to establish the special task force.
The task force also includes representatives from the Home Affairs Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Works Ministry, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, the Independent Police Conduct Commission, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the Public Service Department, the Office of the Chief Government Security Officer of Malaysia, the Immigration Department, the National Anti-Drug Agency, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, and the Royal Malaysia Police.
— Bernama
