THE human rights commission has concluded that excessive force, delayed medical treatment and negligence by prison personnel directly contributed to the death of inmate Gan Chin Eng at Taiping Prison last year.
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, commonly known as SUHAKAM, announced the findings following a public inquiry into alleged human rights violations connected to the incident at Taiping Prison on 17 January 2025.
SUHAKAM chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamuddin Yunus said the inquiry panel determined that the death of 61-year-old Gan Chin Eng constituted a serious violation of human rights.
“The Public Inquiry Panel found various facts indicating that excessive force was used against Chin Eng by prison officers.
“The panel also found that the injuries suffered by Chin Eng were consistent with acts of violence by Taiping Prison personnel during the incident, ultimately causing his death,” he said while delivering the inquiry’s final findings at SUHAKAM headquarters.
The panel identified multiple failures that allegedly contributed to the inmate’s death, including physical abuse, delayed medical attention, negligence in treatment procedures and inadequate emergency medical facilities within the prison.
According to the findings, Chin Eng was transferred to Block E — a detainee housing block within the prison — despite already appearing weak and in visible pain.
The panel found that his condition deteriorated significantly while in the block, yet officers from the prison’s Security and Prevention Unit failed to take immediate action to secure medical treatment.
“At the main gate, there was also a delay in transporting Chin Eng to Taiping Hospital even though the emergency response time should have been around five minutes.
“Chin Eng remained at the main gate for at least 35 minutes or longer before being taken to hospital,” Mohd Hishamuddin said.
The inquiry panel also noted that Taiping Hospital is located only about two kilometres from the prison and can typically be reached within five to 10 minutes.
“The delays and indifferent actions in sending Chin Eng for treatment by prison officers and medical staff are completely unacceptable,” he added.
SUHAKAM further found that prison medical personnel failed to provide emergency first aid before the inmate was transported to hospital, despite clear signs that he was critically unwell.
The inquiry also concluded that medical staff left Chin Eng without proper monitoring.
“Chin Eng’s condition became increasingly critical until other detainees attempted to assist him before he was eventually taken to hospital.
“Therefore, the panel concludes that the medical officer and assistant medical officers were negligent in carrying out their duties as healthcare personnel,” Mohd Hishamuddin said.
The panel ultimately ruled that acts of neglect and medical negligence by prison officers and prison medical staff directly contributed to Chin Eng’s death.
The case drew national attention after the Malaysian Prisons Department confirmed on 27 January 2025 that a provocation incident had occurred at Taiping Prison earlier that month, resulting in the death of an inmate.
The controversy intensified following allegations that more than 100 prisoners were subjected to violence during the incident, prompting over 30 police reports from detainees’ families.
At the time, Perak acting police chief Zulkafli Sariaat said investigators had recorded statements from 82 individuals, including two prison officers.
On 19 December 2025, prison officer Ryndee O'nel Victor, 25, was charged in the Taiping Magistrates’ Court with causing Gan Chin Eng’s death under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code.
He pleaded not guilty and claimed trial before being released on RM5,000 bail with two sureties.
SUHAKAM later launched a public inquiry after receiving allegations of human rights abuses involving the inmate’s death and injuries suffered by several other prisoners.
SUHAKAM commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki previously said investigators entered Taiping Prison between 25 and 27 February 2025 before widening the investigation to include the hospital and the relevant district police headquarters. - May 25, 2026
