4.29
The Commission found that the foods/drinks for detainees were given 3 times
a day which are breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most of the complaints reported
by detainees were that the food is not enough especially drinking water.
Although water is basic need, the lock-up management does not serve it all the
time. Most of detainees mentioned that usually they were asked to drink tap
water if they need more water than what has been supplied to them.
4.30
Detaineesin Jitra Police Station lock-up (Kedah), Bayan Baru Central Lock-up
(Pulau Pinang), Jempol and Seremban Police Stations (Negeri Sembilan),
Tampin, Melaka Tengah and Alor Gajah Police Stations (Melaka), Kluang, Seri
Alam, Pontian Police Stations (Johor), Dungun Police Station (Terengganu),
Pasir Mas and Kota Bahru Police Stations (Kelantan), Miri, and Sibu Police
Stations (Sarawak), as well as Tawau and Lahad Datu Police Stations (Sabah)
stated that the food given was insufficient.
4.31
The Commission also found the food/drinks budget for detaineesin several
places was unreasonable. For example the budget as low as RM3.60 in Ayer
Molek Police Station lock-up, Johor is unreasonable for 3-meal per day. Also
the budget around RM5-7 in other places like at lock-ups in Kepala Batas, Jitra,
Melaka Tengah, Batu Pahat and PontianPolice Stationsis insufficient to serve
nutritious and adequate meals. During an interview with detainees in Ayer
Molek Lock-up, Johor on 13 July 2014, the Commission was informed through
the feedback that sometimes they were served with stale and wormy food.
4.32
The Commission was informed that detainees who undergo health problems
also are being served with the same meals in most visited lock-ups without
being given the priority of required diet.For detainees who are vegetarian, they
are only been given bread in Seberang Perai Selatan Lock-up. Detainees in
Batu Pahat Police Station lock-up requested the menu to be changed as they
are being served with the same meals almost everyday.
4.33
On the contrary, the Commission found that food budget in East Coast lock-ups
such as in Kuala Terengganu as well as in Sabah and Sarawak is reasonable.
Food/drinks budget at K.Terengganu Police Station is RM12.50. In Sabah, at
70