Prisons Dept told to explain why traffic offender’s head shaved despite fine being paid

MIRI: A man who was fined in court over traffic offences is demanding an explanation from the Miri Prisons Department as to why his head was shaved upon his arrival there even though his family had paid the fine imposed on him before the deadline.

Yap Kim Min, in his 40s, said he was humiliated by the treatment given to him, which also saw him being assigned a prison number.

“I had earlier informed the (prison) officer and the staff there that my family is paying the fine, but they still shaved my head and gave me a prisoner number.

“I want the prison authority to explain why my head was shaved even though my fine was paid before the 4pm deadline,” said Yap in a press conference yesterday.

He added that he has lodged a police report over the matter at Miri Central Police Station as he wants the authority concerned to investigate.

Yap, who sought help from Sarawak DAP secretary Alan Ling Sie Kiong, further claimed that even the police personnel who escorted him from court to prison had informed the officer there that Yap’s family would be paying the fine.

He said he was brought to court here on Nov 2 over traffic offences and was fined RM10,500 in default four months’ jail after pleading guilty.

He added the magistrate had given a time frame to settle the fine before 4pm the same day, and that his family paid the fine at 3.16pm.

“I pleaded guilty and was fined, and my family paid the fine. However, I was shocked that the prison officer continued to cut my hair despite being informed by a woman staff of the prison and the police personnel that the fine had been paid.”

Ling, meanwhile, said such an incident should not have happened as the offender had pleaded guilty and paid the fine.

“He was given a hair cut as though he was convicted and sentenced to prison.

“Under the Prison Regulations 2000, the hair of unconvicted prisoners shall be kept as far as cleanliness permits, in the same state on admission.”

“This is abuse of power with intention to humilate, and this action can be considered as an assault because it involves touching and shaving one’s head without consent,” said Ling, adding he was surprised to learn that Yap had also been given a prisoner number.

“I hoped the Prisons Department will conduct a thorough investigation of this matter.”