‘CEO’S WIDOW’S PRISON CELL NOT DARK’

Samirah also provided with stationery, says Prisons Dept official

THE Prisons Department has denied claims by lawyer Tan Sri Dr Muhammad Shafee Abdullah that his client, Samirah Muzaffar, the widow of Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Nazrin Hassan, has been detained in a dark and isolated room.

The department’s prison policy director, Datuk Nordin Muhamad, said Samirah was placed alone in the room next to that of the officer on duty at the Kajang Prison.

“(Samirah’s placement in the room) is based on the category and control requirements in line with the categorisation of prisoners under the Prison Rules 2000.

“Checks by officers from the department’s headquarters found no damage to the lights in the room she is placed in,” he said yesterday.

On Tuesday, Samirah, 44, and two boys, aged 17 and 14, pleaded not guilty in the Shah Alam High Court to killing Nazrin in June last year.

Nordin said prisons in Malaysia did not have dark rooms, and all rooms or cells had windows with iron bars to allow light and air into them.

“The rooms and cells are in good condition, in terms of size, ventilation, lighting and facilities provided.

“Each room or cell is fit for use, as confirmed by medical officers.”

He said Samirah had never submitted any request for a notebook and pencil.

“The nominee (Samirah), as a person who has just been remanded, admitted to being a little confused over the rules of stationery in the prison and an explanation was provided to her. The nominee was provided with stationery for writing under the supervision of prison officials.”

Nordin said the department strived to meet prisoners’ needs and at the same time, encouraged prisoners to always comply with laws and regulations.

Shafee previously filed a complaint that his client had been placed in a dark and isolated room at the Kajang Prison and was not given a pencil and notebook to make notes regarding the case.