Unhappy with Prison Dept's reply, LFL urges PM to intervene in Kajang jail water woes

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has expressed concern and dissatisfaction over the Prison Department's explanation regarding water supply disruptions as well as sanitation and food hygiene problems at Kajang Prison, and urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene.

In a statement this morning, LFL outreach and communications coordinator Thiruna Jayshan Jaya Kumar said the department's response on Oct 15 was inadequate as the issue had allegedly persisted for years without a lasting solution.

She said the public needs...

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has expressed concern and dissatisfaction over the Prison Department's explanation regarding water supply disruptions as well as sanitation and food hygiene problems at Kajang Prison, and urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene.

In a statement this morning, LFL outreach and communications coordinator Thiruna Jayshan Jaya Kumar said the department's response on Oct 15 was inadequate as the issue had allegedly persisted for years without a lasting solution.

She said the public needs clear answers, accountable parties, and concrete action, rather than mere assurances that immediate improvements will be prioritised.

“We are shocked and dismayed by the response issued by the Prison Department on Oct 15, 2026, regarding allegations of water supply disruptions as well as deficiencies in terms of sanitation and food preparation at Kajang Prison.

“The department's statement is completely inadequate. It raises more questions than answers and does little to reassure the public that the welfare and basic human needs of prisoners are properly protected.

“Why is the department responding as if these concerns are a new matter, when complaints regarding conditions at Kajang Prison have persisted for years?

“The public does not need another promise of improvement. They need answers, accountability, and concrete action,” she said in a statement today.

The department was previously reported as saying that it would look into LFL's complaints regarding water supply disruptions, hygiene facilities, and food preparation at Kajang Prison.

In a statement on Thursday, the department stated that action had been taken to ascertain what actually transpired and ensure the matter gets due attention.

At the same time, the department said it would prioritise immediate improvements to address any identified deficiencies, particularly concerning basic facilities, hygiene, and inmate welfare.

The prison authority further urged the public not to speculate on the matter or spread unverified information, stressing that they had always looked after the welfare, health, hygiene, and safety of inmates.

Demanding answers

Commenting further, Thiruna stated LFL's demands for an independent public inquiry under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950 to examine the conditions at Kajang Prison.

According to Thiruna, the inquiry must examine complaint records related to water supply and quality, sanitation, food hygiene, and the adequacy of basic facilities, besides determining the root cause of the persistent problems and whether the relevant authorities failed to carry out their duties.

LFL also urged immediate and effective preventive measures to prevent the same problem from recurring, and called for the findings and recommendations of the inquiry to be disclosed to the public.

She further questioned the department's call on the public to refrain from speculating or spreading unverified information, describing it as an attempt to suppress questions over a public interest matter.

“We are not speculating. We are demanding answers,” she said.

She said prison conditions should not be treated as a private matter exempt from public scrutiny because the treatment of individuals deprived of liberty is an issue of public interest.

She said no individual should be denied adequate access to clean water, sanitation, and clean food simply because they are behind prison walls.

LFL also expressed disappointment that the problem persists under the administration of Anwar, who himself spent years serving prison sentences.

According to Thiruna, the prime minister must prove his commitment to reform by intervening to ensure the issue is resolved comprehensively.

“The time for half-baked assurances is over,” she added.