Police to look into alleged 'deplorable and hazardous to health' conditions of Ayer Molek lock-up.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police will form a committee to look into claims by The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) that the conditions at a lock-up in Johor Baru is "deplorable and hazardous to health".
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim (pix) said the committee will to look into the conditions at the Ayer Molek police station lock-up.
"We will also get in touch with Suhakam to see if they have any additional reports on the lock-up so we can improve it," he said yesterday during press conference.
Noor Rashid said the lock-up was old and it must be looked at and improved.
"Although the infrastructure must be taken a look at, more importantly, we need to address the issue of management. From a management point of view, we need to pinpoint its weaknesses and improve it," he said.
He ensured that they will take action to improve the lock-up especially its management.
Suhakam chairman Tan Sri Razali Ismail said in the statement on Wednesday that based on a recent visit to the lock up in Johor Baru, he found that all cells were in extremely poor and dilapidated conditions, and detainees have been deprived of drinking water and even food.
"Several critical issues such as healthcare practices and basic human rights have been denied for the detainees. Suhakam is extremely concerned to learn that drinking water was only provided three times a day," he revealed.
Razali said having access to safe drinking water was central to living a life in dignity; and in accordance with Rule 20(2) of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, drinking water shall be made available to every prisoner whenever he needs it.
"While detainees are entitled to clothing that is clean, there was also an overall shortage of clean lock up clothes," he added.
Noor Rashid earlier gave out prizes to teams of police personnel who entered the Royal Malaysia Police's innovation contests.