TAWAU: A Philippine embassy representative has met with eight Filipinos detained under the Security Offences Act (Special Measures) (SOSMA) 2012.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the embassy representative met with the detainees during a visit to Tawau prison three days ago (March 27).
“The Philippine embassy representative was given very opportunity to meet with the eight people detained under SOSMA. Feedback received said the representative was satisfied with the treatment given by the prison authority,” he told reporters during a visit to Tawau prison, here yesterday.
People who still doubt the professionalism of Malaysian prisons should refer to Tawau prison or the Philippine embassy but not the social media, he said.
On whether the embassy representative raised the question of counsel, the minister said the prison authority told him the detainees would be provided with counsel.
“We are transparent. Even if he wants to appoint counsel, there is no problem. The guilty still remain as guilty.”
Hishammuddin said the government would ensure the process of justice and legislation would be carried out smoothly under Ops Daulat.
“Our hope in Ops Daulat which involves various agencies and ministries is not only to give encouragement and confidence but to ensure that the process of justice and legislation move smoothly so no quarters can accuse us of doing or not being fair or transparent,” he said.
Hishammuddin also said he was satisfied with the cooperation between the hospital and prison because the prison personnel were in high spirit.
“Not only in Tawau, but in Sabah, there are 4,530 prisoners with 1,085 prison personnel able to control the prison population,” he said.
“We are not worried on the current situation (prison) but outside and we are strengthening the army, RELA and the community through communication on weaknesses on what is really happening,” he said.
“To strengthen our position and to give confidence to the wardens, we have established a Home Ministry operation room with hotline to channel authentic detailed information that can thwart those who play the issue,” he said.
He said the operation room’s hotline at Kota Kinabalu Immigration Department is 088 488850 and is streamlined with the appointment of Sabah Immigration director Datuk Mohammad Mentek as director of Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) effective April 1 that oversees the 10 districts under Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESSZONE).
“What we planned is not all talk and I will visit the new police station at Bum Bum Island as I want to see for myself the cabin that had already arrived,” he said.