Inmates at Kajang Prison Face Severe Water Shortages, Rights Group Demands Action
Lawyers for Liberty say water supply at Kajang Prison is so limited that inmates wait hours for a pail, receive only one litre of drinking water per day and cannot use toilets for days, prompting a call for government response.
Lawyers for Liberty has raised alarms about chronic water shortages at Kajang Prison, where inmates reportedly wait several hours to fill a pail and receive only one litre of drinking water per room each day. The scarcity has forced some prisoners to go without toilet access for up to two days and limited bathing to a single person per cell, leading to severe hygiene concerns and foul odors. The organization received complaints on Oct 12 from lawyers representing detainees held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and demanded an explanation from Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Among the inmates affected are more than 5,000 prisoners, including former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak. The Prisons Department acknowledged the claims, said it is reviewing the situation, and pledged to address any deficiencies in basic facilities, hygiene and inmate welfare. The group highlighted that the problem has persisted for years despite existing regulations and constitutional protections.
Why it matters
Inadequate water and sanitation in a major prison raise human-rights and health concerns for thousands of detainees, including a former prime minister.
In this story
