TAIPING, El Sky News – A Malaysian prison officer was officially charged at the Magistrate’s Court today in connection with the death of an inmate at the Taiping Prison earlier this year. The case has reignited public discourse regarding the safety and oversight of detainees within the national correctional system.
The accused appeared before the court to face charges under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code, which pertains to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
During the proceedings, the prison officer pleaded not guilty to the charge. According to the facts of the case, the incident allegedly occurred in January 2025, involving a male inmate who was found unresponsive following a reported altercation or “provocation” within the facility.
The prosecution, led by State Prosecution Director Muhammad Zaki Abdul Kudos, initially suggested a higher bail amount given the gravity of the offense. However, after considering the defense’s plea—which highlighted the accused’s role as the sole breadwinner for his pregnant wife—the court granted bail at RM5,000 with two local sureties.
As part of the strict bail conditions, the Magistrate also ordered the accused to surrender his international passport to the court and prohibited him from making any contact with prosecution witnesses until the case is resolved.
The Malaysian Prison Department had previously confirmed that an internal probe was launched following the incident, which involved a prisoner transferred from the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre. This court appearance marks a significant step in the judicial process to determine the exact circumstances leading to the fatality.
The court has scheduled February 26, 2026, for the next mention of the case and the submission of medical and forensic documents.
(Leakim Otid)
