At last the atrocious conditions of some of the patients in Taman Sinar Harapan Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor, have been exposed. Congratulations to the editor and the two reporters Yuen Meikeng and Zalinah Noordin, on the article “Horror Home” on the front page of the Sunday Star, 5 July 2009. The following is an extract of some of the harrowing scenes which the two reporters experienced:
We were hit by the stench of faeces and urine the minute we walked into the men’s block at Taman Sinar Harapan located in a secluded area of the town here.
About 30 stark naked men were inside the room, either lying down or sitting on the wet marble floor. In one part of the room, we saw a pool of blood, still fresh and red, on the floor.
Half of the men were locked behind bars like animals in a zoo while the others were able to move about in the front portion of the room. Those in the “jail cells” were segregated so that they would not harm their non-violent roommates.
Fans were installed inside the room for better ventilation but that was the only luxury the men had. There were no beds, no toilets and not even blankets to keep them warm on cold rainy nights. Those who were not in the “jail cells” were given beds but without any mattresses or pillows. They were, however, chained to the bed frame with metal chains and a steel lock. We were told by a volunteer that they were restricted to prevent them from hurting themselves.
We urge the government to take immediate steps to form an independant committee to investigate the conditions in all the 7 homes of Taman Sinar Harapan throughout the country and to speedily make proposals to ensure that the persons living in these homes are treated with dignity and respect.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
