KUALA LUMPUR: The Prison Department has denied allegations made by a former Sungai Buloh Prison inmate, known as Abang Mat, regarding "special treatment" accorded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his imprisonment at the facility in 2015.
In a statement today, the department said it had analysed an 80-minute video of an interview conducted by the individual in question, which was uploaded on the "Cili Kasi Taruk" YouTube account on Dec 3.
The department clarified that there were no designated rooms for VIP inmates at Sungai Buloh Prison or any other prison and Anwar was placed in the prison clinic based on medical recommendations due to his health issues.
"The Sungai Buloh Prison Clinic also accommodates other inmates requiring medical treatment and health monitoring, the majority of whom are local inmates rather than foreign inmates.
"All inmates in the prison clinic are provided with beds as recommended by medical officers for their health, as outlined in Regulation 234 of the Prison Regulations 2000," it said.
The department added that inmate tasks, including cleaning the clinic area and rooms, were carried out by selected inmates placed in the clinic, not from other accommodation blocks and were monitored closely by prison officers.
"No curtains are installed to protect basic rooms, such as other inmates' rooms, to allow monitoring by prison officers without hindrance. Additionally, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are installed in the area to assist in surveillance," it added.
Regarding the claim about morning exercise, the department asserted that it was inaccurate.
It said that according to records at Sungai Buloh Prison, exercise facilities were utilised in the afternoon, so the statement by Abang Mat claiming that Anwar jogged wearing only shorts without a shirt was false.
For visitation sessions, the department clarified that Anwar's meetings followed the same procedures as other inmates, adhering to a staged system rather than daily visits.
"Visits are conducted in the visitation area and not in the prison clinic. Pursuant to Regulation 91 of the Prison Regulations 2000, inmates may be allowed special visits for urgent and essential matters. This facility is also extended to other inmates for relevant matters, including death, business, education, and essential family affairs, requiring prior approval.
"In almost all of Anwar's meetings with his family, his wife (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail), were present," it said.
The department also said that the placement of inmates, including Anwar's room in the prison clinic, could not be accessed by any other inmates and was strictly monitored by prison officers.
"The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prohibits other inmates from being in that area. Anwar's room also faces the corridor wall, visible only from the front of the room. Therefore, Abang Mat's claim of seeing Anwar from a distance of 50m is impossible and purely fictional," it said.
The department also affirmed that Anwar, during his time in prison or at external hospitals, had never violated any disciplinary regulations.
"Visitors also adhered to visitation protocols, and the supervision by prison officers indicates Anwar's consistent compliance with prison rules.
"The need for Anwar's further treatment in external hospitals is based on medical recommendations, with him also receiving treatment and health examinations at Sungai Buloh Prison," it added.