Chapter 2 - Report of the Complaints, Monitoring and Inquiries Group Table 10: Deaths in Police Custody NO. CAUSE OF DEATH NUMBER OF CASES 1. Illness (HIV/AIDS, asthma, heart disease, etc) 196 2. Self-hanging 29 3. Fights among detainees 2 4. Slipping in lock-ups 2 5. Abuse by police 2 TOTAL 231 Source: Dewan Rakyat A breakdown of the racial composition showed that Malays made up the majority of those who died, followed by Chinese, Indians, foreigners and others (Table 11). Table 11: Custodial Deaths Based on Race/Nationality NO. RACE/NATIONALITY NUMBER OF CASES 1. Malays 97 2. Indians 51 3. Chinese 49 4. Foreigners 25 5. Others 9 TOTAL 231 Source: Dewan Rakyat Despite the small number of deaths as claimed by the Home Minister, the Commission observes that an average of 18.6 people had died every year under the watch of the police force. This indicates systemic problems in managing and handling detainees in lock-ups. Pursuant to its mandate under section 4 of Act 597, the Commission held two Roundtable Discussions on deaths in custody on 20 and 21 August. Family-members of deceased detainees, the Bar Council and Government agencies (police force, Ministry of Health and Home Ministry) shared their views on reducing deaths in the custody, although it was felt that prevention is an almost impossible task. 67