Citing a report by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), the party’s information chief, Luqman Long, noted that only five of the 400 lock-ups in Malaysia had such units.

“This number is too small to protect the health of all detainees,” he said in a statement today.

Luqman suggested that independent organisations be allowed to investigate custodial deaths to ensure greater transparency.

He also pushed for the establishment of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be expedited.

He said the IPCMC should be seen as a step towards strengthening police integrity instead of a threat to the force.

“Custodial deaths must be given serious attention immediately as it would save many innocent lives,” he said.

The latest custodial death – the 15th case this year – involved a man at the Kajang police lock-up yesterday.

The 45-year-old detainee died after policemen on duty saw him having a seizure

On March 21, a 42-year-old detainee at a lock-up in Pahang died from “acute chronic lung infection with underlying pulmonary tuberculosis with Covid-19”.