Sabah Prisons spend RM114m to feed prisoners annually

By Olivia Miwil - November 17, 2018 @ 6:37pm

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (right) attended a meeting during a working visit at the Kota Kinabalu prison complex. (NSTP / KHAIRULL AZRY BIDIN)

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Prisons department spends about RM114 million annually to feed inmates in the state.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman said at present there were more than 7,000 prisoners statewide.

“The department is spending about RM9.5 million every month to feed the inmates whose daily expenditure is between RM35 and RM41 per person,” he said after a work visit to the Prisons complex here.

Azis said among other issues raised by the authorities was the issue that the 5,000-capacity prisons in the state were overpopulated by 2,000 people which potentially posed security threats.

“I will bring this matter to the ministerial level and also the government for more allocations.

“Although the government is facing limitations in terms of budget, there should not be any compromise when it comes to security,” he said, adding the department was understaffed and also not well equipped in terms of weaponry.

On solutions for the overcrowded prisons, he said another premises were being built in Lahad Datu which had progressed just 3 per cent.

However, as the government will be reviewing projects which have progressed less than 5 per cent for price negotiations, it would likely delay building of the new premises.

On welfare of Prisons personnel, Azis said the group also deserved an increase of their monthly special incentive allowance of RM150 to RM200 as other uniform bodies due to their nature of job, having to face prisoners every day.

He added that he would look into necessary measures to improve staff quarters for the personnel’s comfortable living.