This is the second time such a petition has been initiated, following claims of similar abuse at another prison in the same state.

The inmates had drafted the petition while in detention before it was passed to their lawyer, Husaini Abdul Rashid, by two former inmates who were released recently.

Husaini, who previously raised concerns of prison abuse last year, will now refer the matter to the prisons department and the home minister.

To date, neither the ministry nor the department has responded to the claims reported in 2022, despite emails seeking their comment.

Recounting their own ordeal, the former inmates – who were arrested for drug trafficking – claimed they were abused for talking and perceived disobedience during muster sessions. Muster sessions see inmates assemble at a site every few hours.

They claimed that hundreds were beaten with PVC pipes and other blunt objects at the “whims and fancies of the wardens”.

However, such abuse was only confined to those who had been remanded, they said. Convicts serving time fared “much better”, they alleged.

“We are treated worse than cows, hit with pipes by UKP (prisons control and prevention unit) officers while on the floor. This is because we spoke during muster sessions.

“When they hear Suhakam or other people coming to check, they would hide these pipes away,” they claimed, referring to the human rights commission.

They claimed that inmates were sometimes forced to roll on the floor for talking in their cell.“There are 33 people in a small cell. People will talk,” one of them said.

They also claimed that prisoners on remand were also subject to constant cavity searches after returning from court dates, due to suspicions of drug smuggling.

“We are told to lay flat naked on the ground, and ‘kopek durian’.

“We are then told to show our ‘holes’ for all to see,” the inmate said, referring to having his buttocks spread. Sometimes we are also told to pluck out our pubic hair before them for no reason,” he said.

The former inmates also claimed the water supply was very limited to the point that they were unable to shower for eight straight days.

“When there is water, we are limited to five ‘gayungs’ (water dippers) per person. We took two used kaya jam cups to wash ourselves after pooping, or else there is no way to wash ourselves. Or else we would save food wrappers to wipe ourselves.

“There is also no water for ablution for those wanting to carry out prayers.”

They alleged that food was served on a plate covered in fungus, while meals consisted of stale rice and a measly piece of steamed fish.

“We don’t eat the food…we leave it behind. Even the cats don’t eat it. We are also afraid to eat it because we would be forced to go to the toilet then. There is no water to wash.”

They claimed inmates who complained about the smallest issue were beaten or placed in solitary confinement by wardens as punishment.

They claim to have been denied basic rights such as breaks during which they could exercise or read books. They are only allowed to leave for muster calls and bathe.

“Even the on-call doctor would not treat us properly when we are ill. We are given panadol for everything, even scabies (kudis),” they claimed.

“Our wardens would tell us to only alert them ‘at least five minutes before dying’, so they can prepare.”

Hussaini, who was with FMT during the interview, said he will be writing a letter to the prisons department and its parent, the home ministry, to highlight these claims.

FMT has also reached out to the state prison director concerned, and the commissioner general of prisons for comment.