KUALA LUMPUR – The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has found that leaders of political parties and supporters were among those least observant of the Health Ministry’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the Sabah elections in September last year.
Suhakam said this is based on its observations of the snap polls that have been widely blamed for the spike in infections occurring at present.
It said compliance of the SOPs among the politicians and supporters during the campaign period was poor, in contrast to Election Commission (EC) staff overseeing the poll and members of the public who duly observed the restrictions.
“Suhakam found that on polling day, Covid-19 SOPs were practised by EC workers and voters. Camps were provided for those with symptoms to vote while Health Ministry staff were present to assist,” Suhakam commissioner Jerald Joseph said, as quoted by Malay Mail Online.
The election was held during a period when the state was seeing a steady rise in cases. However, these were mostly linked to detention centres housing illegal immigrants.
Jerald said politicians and supporters flouted SOPs by organising mass gatherings and walkabouts during the campaign period.
Suhakam also noted this was likely the cause of widespread infections, as many supporters and party workers flew in and out of the state.
It is well known that most of them were from Peninsular Malaysia.
“It’s possible that these workers then spread the virus here (in the peninsula),” Jerald said.
On another matter, Jerald said Suhakam had found that a custodial death at the Bentong police station lock-up last year occurred after the deceased inmate was beaten up by two other detainees.
According to Free Malaysia Today, Suhakam noted that the victim, 30-year-old G. Jestus Kevin, was beaten by the detainees and a police officer.
Jerald said the victim was arrested on April 2 for alleged theft and found dead on April 15 due to brain inflammation caused by multiple blunt force trauma.
The victim was also reportedly mentally unstable as he was found making noises, talking alone, climbing walls and attempting suicide, Jerald said, adding that this matter was confirmed through CCTV footage of the lock-up.
“Suhakam is of the opinion that the deceased should have been sent to a hospital for treatment. Instead, the deceased continued to be detained and fell victim to injuries caused by other inmates,” he said.
Jerald also said Suhakam has called for strict action in line with the law to be taken against those involved in the victim’s death. – The Vibes, January 22, 2021
