By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 14: An inmate was allegedly denied medical treatment while serving time at Puncak Borneo Prison Complex.
Michael Kong Feng Nian, special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, shared this issue to the press in a statement today, said he had assisted the inmate by informing the trial judge of the matter and seeking a court order directing the corrections officers to attend to Mr Wong’s immediate medical needs.
The counsel of the inmate known as ‘Mr Wong’ has allegedly written to the prison as early as December last year, requesting medical treatment for a pressing dental issue.
However, no actions were taken, and further letters were written in January this year.
Yesterday (June 13), Mr Wong was brought to court for his trial and complained that the corrections officers had still not brought him to seek medical treatment for his dental issue, despite receiving the letters from his counsel.
As of today (June 14), it has been more than six months with the dental issue persisting, leaving Mr Wong unable to eat properly and even losing four teeth, he claims.
“This situation serves as a wake-up call that there is an urgent need to reexamine our existing corrections system.
“A comprehensive investigation must be conducted to identify and address all issues.
“The right to medical treatment is a basic human right that cannot be ignored or delayed.
“It is imperative that our corrections system operates with the highest standards of care and respect for all individuals, regardless of their legal status,” he added. — DayakDaily
