Dzulizwar Bakir, who holds the rank of sergeant, said the inmates had hurled vulgarities and threats against the officers’ families, which triggered his emotional outburst.

“(For) what happened during that incident, I sincerely apologise. I was angry, but I had no intention of injuring or hurting anyone,” Dzulizwar, who was stationed at the prison’s main gate, told the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) inquiry into the alleged abuse of more than 100 inmates by about 60 wardens during the incident.

The commission is investigating claims of brutality that allegedly led to the death of one inmate and injuries to several others.

Asked if it was appropriate to use force on inmates simply because they had insulted the prison officers, Dzulizwar replied: “It’s not appropriate.”

Earlier, he admitted that he failed to control his emotions after the inmates provoked him and the other officers with explicit words and threats to rape their wives and children.

“If they insulted us, we could still accept it. But it involved family, I couldn’t stay quiet,” he said.

Asked by Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus whether his actions could be justified under any circumstances, Dzulizwar agreed they could not.

He said the inmates’ defiance stemmed from their transfer to Block E, which had poorer living conditions, including dirty cells, and the use of bucket toilets, as well as stricter rules.

He said many of the inmates had grown accustomed to more lenient discipline at the Bukit Gajah facility from where they were transferred, making them more resistant and agitated following the relocation order.