KUALA LUMPUR (June 26): Civil society group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) has called for the removal of Section 63A in the Prisons (Amendment) Bill 2026, saying it could protect prison officers from legal action over alleged abuses.
Suaram executive director Azura Nasron said in a statement on Friday that the provision should be reconsidered following Suhakam’s findings last month from its inquiry into the Taiping Prison incident, which identified alleged human rights violations, including excessive force, inadequate medical care, weak oversight, and delays in investigations.
It said Parliament should focus on strengthening oversight and accountability within the prison system instead of introducing new legal safeguards for prison personnel. It also called for Malaysia’s accession to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) to be expedited.
“Prioritise the implementation of the recommendations arising from Suhakam's Taiping Prison Public Inquiry, including disciplinary action, independent investigations, and structural reforms to address overcrowding and prison conditions,” Azura said.
The group highlighted that the proposed Section 63A could complicate efforts to hold prison personnel accountable, adding that it would provide legal protection for officers and others acting under the direction of the commissioner general if they believed their actions were necessary and acted in good faith.
“The proposed amendment also risks blanket immunity that cannot be overcome. This will constitute a major obstacle for victims in their pursuit of justice and weaken public confidence and accountability within Malaysia's prison system,” said Suaram.
During a parliamentary session on Thursday, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the Bill would be referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform for further review.
The Bill, which was tabled for first reading on Tuesday, seeks to introduce several amendments to the Prison Act 1995, including a provision empowering the commissioner general of prisons to order the use of electronic monitoring devices on prisoners in custody, on licence or on parole.