The Internal Security Ministry revealed that 262 prisoners had died during their incarceration last year, bringing the total number of deaths in prisons since 2001 to 1,085.

Out of the 262, 154 were due to HIV/Aids, according to a written parliamentary reply from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor).

In 2003, there were 328 deaths, 264 in 2002 and 231 in 2001.

The statistics also showed a sharp increase in inmates suffering from HIV/Aids since 2001. There were 2,000 cases reported last year whereas in 2003 there were 1,812 cases, 1,834 in 2002 and 1,596 in 2001.

Kit Siang's allegation

In his reply, the premier refuted Lim's charge that the Prisons Department and health authorities were 'irresponsible, inefficient, lack transparency and integrity'.

"This data proves that deaths in prisons between 2001 and 2004 are low and not a result from poor health facilities as alleged. From the death reports furnished by the hospital, the majority of deaths were due to illnesses," stated Abdullah, who is also internal security minister.

"The health department is a government agency that is responsible, has integrity and is always sensitive and gives attention to health problems faced by prisoners," he added.

Elaborating, he said several measures have been implemented such as health check-ups for inmates while prison officials are being trained to be 'medical orderlies'.

The high number of deaths in prisons and in police custody have raised the concern of various quarters, including human rights groups.

Last May, the Dewan Rakyat was told that 67 deaths in police custody had been recorded since 1999.

Meanwhile, the statistics released by the premier contradicted earlier available figures on the deaths of inmates.

In October 2003, the Home Ministry stated in a written parliamentary reply that 237 prisoners had died in 2002 - which differed from the 264 deaths as stated by Abdullah today.