PETALING JAYA: The government will form a special task force dedicated to implementing crucial recommendations to prevent deaths in custody, says the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

This comes after the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) presented a report on custodial deaths and its proposed preventative measures to the special Cabinet committee on national governance.

The PMO said the special task force will be formed by the EAIC to implement its proposed measures, including revising existing legislation and standard operating procedures as well as enhancing infrastructure to ensure the protection of human rights.

A study by the EAIC found last month that there were 430 custodial deaths in Malaysia from 2011 to 2021.

The study included the police, immigration department, National Anti-Drugs Agency, customs department, and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

Meanwhile, the PMO said Putrajaya acknowledged there were issues in the management of government-linked entities, resulting in financial losses and abuses of power.

In view of this, the special Cabinet committee on governance agreed to introduce new legislation to regulate federal statutory bodies.

“This legislation will cover matters related to loans, investments, the establishment of subsidiaries, and other issues to be decided by the finance ministry.”