Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) notes that prison warder Ryndee O’nel Victor has been charged under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code (which covers culpable homicide not amounting to murder) at the Taiping Magistrates’ Court in relation to the death of 62-year-old detainee Gan Chin Eng, following the mass assault of 107 detainees by prison staff at Taiping Prison on 17 January 2025.
The delayed charge against Ryndee reflects the lack of prompt, impartial and effective criminal accountability in a case of torture and ill-treatment in custody that resulted in an unlawful death.
It comes more than 11 months after the violations took place.
The Section 304(b) charge is also not commensurate with the gravity and manner of fatal harm inflicted on Gan: four of seven blunt force injuries on Gan ruptured his liver and caused 37% internal blood loss, placing Gan in a life-threatening state.
The Attorney General’s Chambers has also not pursued charges against other Taiping Prison officers, warders and staff who assaulted detainees, despite the scale and severity of non-fatal injuries inflicted and the CCTV footage that should enable identification of those responsible.
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This recurring pattern of partial accountability must be broken, starting with this case.
Suaram calls on the Attorney General’s Chambers to explain the basis for the current Section 304(b) charge against Ryndee. The chambers must also pursue further evidence-led charges without delay – including under the relevant voluntary causing hurt and grievous-hurt provisions (ie Sections 323–326 of the Penal Code) where appropriate – against all implicated officers.
With Suhakam still drafting its inquiry report, full criminal accountability cannot be deferred pending its completion. – Suaram
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
