KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 15): Lawyers for Liberty have raised concerns over alleged water shortages and unhygienic conditions at Kajang Prison, calling on the government and prison authorities to take immediate action.

In a statement, the human rights and law reform non-government organisation said they received complaints on Oct 12 from legal representatives of inmates involved in a Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) trial held within the prison.

The complaints included severely limited water supply, inadequate drinking water, difficulties using toilets and bathing facilities, as well as dirty food trays and concerns over food hygiene.

According to the statement, water reportedly flowed so slowly that inmates took hours to fill a pail, while some were allegedly unable to use toilets for up to two days due to the shortage. Each room was also reportedly allocated only one litre of drinking water daily.

The lawyers said the conditions raised serious concerns over inmates’ health, sanitation and dignity, and affected their ability to obtain instructions from clients in preparation for court proceedings.

They urged the government and prison authorities to ensure an uninterrupted supply of clean water, provide adequate drinking water and sanitation, improve food hygiene, and immediately inspect the prison’s quarantine block.

They also called for a permanent solution to the reported water supply problems and for inmates to be able to meet their lawyers in dignified and hygienic conditions.

The statement stressed that all individuals in custody are entitled to humane treatment and basic necessities, citing Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and the Prison Regulations 2000.