Suhakam slams Taiping prison warden for lying at public inquiry
The inquiry panel confronts Raja Masrul Azan Raja Mansor with CCTV footage contradicting his testimony on the alleged inmate abuse.
During the third session of the inquiry, prison officer Raja Masrul Azan Raja Mansor, 29, was repeatedly grilled over his role in a controversial operation earlier this year that allegedly led to the death of one inmate and injuries to many others.
Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus, who also chairs the inquiry panel, rebuked Raja Masrul for attempting to downplay his involvement in the incident and for claiming uncertainty over what was shown in a CCTV footage.
“You say that you’re not sure, but the video clearly shows you hitting the inmates. How do you expect us to believe you?” Hishamudin asked.
When Raja Masrul insisted he did not intend to harm anyone, Hishamudin said: “It’s so obvious that you had hit (them). Why do you keep lying? Your baton struck a prisoner who was already on the floor.”
The officer earlier admitted that he was equipped with a baton and pepper spray during the incident while several colleagues wore body armour and carried shields.
“I was given a baton and pepper spray. That’s what we prison wardens normally carry. After the briefing, we were ordered to go to Hall B. It was chaotic. I saw some inmates not cooperating with the officers,” he said.
When asked if force was used because some inmates refused to cooperate, Raja Masrul replied: “I didn’t see anything.”
Pressed further, he denied using force himself but later admitted seeing injuries on some inmates after the incident. “I saw some with injuries on their heads and bodies,” he said.
Raja Masrul was then questioned by the panel on the legality of him bringing a mobile phone into the prison, after he admitted taking pictures during the incident.
“I was ordered by my officer-in-charge (OC) to take photos of what was happening. I was just following orders,” he said.
Raja Masrul maintained he did not record any video footage, but could not explain why the CCTV appeared to show him holding a phone and chasing an inmate.
Asked whether he could see himself hitting a prisoner in the footage, Raja Masrul said: “I’m not sure. I tried to hit but it didn’t land.”
Hishamudin: Then why did you raise your baton?
Raja Masrul: I don’t remember.
The panel also questioned his claim that he was merely trying to scare the inmates.
“I didn’t hit them. I was just trying to scare them and the baton accidentally struck the inmate,” Raja Masrul said.
This prompted Hishamudin to question Raja Masrul’s credibility. “If you’re lying about this, how can I believe you only took photos and didn’t record videos?” he asked.
The prison officer then said he could not remember whether he recorded a video or only took pictures, adding that he had been ordered to record the incident and hand it over.
In yesterday’s inquiry session, the panel also reprimanded deputy superintendent Teuku Hasbi Tarmizi over his evasive answers when questioned on the details of the incident.
Suhakam is holding a public inquiry to investigate claims that some 60 prison wardens assaulted inmates at Taiping prison on Jan 17. The fourth session of the inquiry is scheduled to take place from July 23 to 25. FMT, 10/7/2025
Suhakam panel chides Taiping prison official for being evasive
Inquiry chairman slams deputy superintendent for being uncooperative and asks if he is trying to hide something.
Taiping prison deputy superintendent Teuku Hasbi Tarmizi, 38, who is among the prison’s top five officials, was testifying as a witness during the public inquiry when he gave non-committal answers to questions from the panel.
Hasbi had repeatedly said he was “not sure” when asked whether he had ordered a light strike force team to be prepared to move the purportedly uncooperative inmates from a hall to another block.
This prompted Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus to say: “Please speak the truth, you’re testifying under oath. You can’t always say ‘I’m not sure’.”
Hasbi acknowledged Hishamudin’s reprimand and answered that he did not order an LSF team to be prepared to transfer the inmates, who had refused to be relocated.
He was reprimanded by Hishamudin again after evading questions about the police investigation into the incident, for which he was summoned twice.
“It’s like you’re finding it difficult to answer the question. Please answer and be honest,” the former Court of Appeal judge said.
“What did you testify about? Did they not tell you why you had to testify, the purpose of the investigation?”
Suhakam commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki pointed out that the police had received reports from Taiping prison, the next of kin of the deceased inmate, as well as the family members of other inmates who were allegedly abused.
When asked repeatedly which case he was summoned to attend, Hasbi remained silent.
Hishamudin then said he would note it down as the witness having no answer, to which Hasbi replied it was because he could not remember.
“I think the police investigating officers told me but I can’t remember which case it was,” he said.
‘Are you afraid of implicating your colleagues?’
After viewing CCTV footage of the incident at the inquiry, the Suhakam panel asked Hasbi if he agreed that violence had been used by prison personnel on the inmates.
He remained silent.
Hishamudin: You were summoned to testify to assist in the inquiry. Your attitude right now is not helping us. Are you trying to hide something?
Hasbi: No.
Hishamudin: Then just answer the questions, they’re very easy. Do you see any violence used by the personnel on the inmates?
Hasbi did not answer the question, saying instead it was “more (due) to emotion”.
Farah reminded him that their question was whether he agreed that violence had been used on the inmates, not the cause of the incident.
She pointed out that one inspector Rizal could be seen in the video stomping on a few inmates several times.
Farah: Is that violence and cruelty or is that normal?
Hasbi: It’s not a norm. So maybe it’s violence.
Farah: So you confirm that violence was used?
Hasbi: Yes, but I did not (witness) the incident. Based on the CCTV footage, then maybe it’s violence.
Asked what he, as a superior officer, did to stop the incident, Hasbi said he shouted at them. However, he said he could not recall what exactly he had shouted.
Hishamudin asked if he was fearful of testifying at the inquiry because he might implicate his colleagues, which Hasbi denied.
Hishamudin: Then why do you need to take so long to think? Why aren’t you answering the questions, as if there’s something you’re afraid of?.
Hasbi: I’m not afraid but I’m just unsure.
Hasbi said the prison personnel involved did not stop assaulting the inmates despite him shouting as the situation had gone out of control.
When Farah asked if this meant that his subordinates would not follow his orders once a situation went “out of control”, he replied: “Maybe.”
Suhakam is investigating claims that more than 60 officers assaulted more than 100 inmates, resulting in one death and many others being injured.
The inquiry continues until July 10, and from July 23 to July 25. - FMT, 9/7/2025
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