Prisons dept dismisses SDP call for inquiry

The allegations by the SDP and Mr Wong, its assistant secretary-general, were frivolous and due to his own failure to follow prison rules, department spokesman S. Vijayendiran said in a statement yesterday. The department was responding to the call made on Wednesday by SDP chief Chee Soon Juan, who served a 12-day sentence in Queenstown Remand Prison with Mr Wong.

Both had refused to pay fines for holding a public talk without a permit and were jailed in default. They were released on March 6.

Dr Chee said Mr Wong, who claimed that a prison officer shouted at him, was treated in a shabby manner.

In its reply yesterday, the department said: "It was Wong who...ignored a prison officer's order, and it was Wong who then told the prison officer to speak loudly.

"When the prison officer repeated the order, Wong retorted that the prison officer had shouted at him."

The spokesman said Mr Wong did not complain to the superintendent when he saw him later that day and was asked if he had any complaint to make.

"He was apologetic over the matter and claimed that it was only a misunderstanding," said the spokesman. Because of his manner and his explanation, the superintendent gave him a verbal warning and let the matter rest, said the statement.

Six days later on March 3, the superintendent asked for statements from Mr Wong and his two cellmates who witnessed the incident after Dr Chee asked the superintendent about it. "Wong had apparently discussed this matter with Chee when both men were interviewed by their counsel, Ling How Doong, the previous afternoon," said the spokesman.

Mr Wong claimed he was questioned in a cold room with two air-conditioners on full blast, and that this caused him acute physical discomfort and aggravated his rheumatism.

The department said only one unit was on and the senior officer who did the interviews lasting for 90 minutes sat in the room throughout. "It is baffling that Mr Wong did not complain to the senior officer at any point during the interview that it was cold."

Nor did he inform the prison doctor about his rheumatism. He said he had high blood pressure and was given medication, the statement added. "From the start, prisons department has dealt with Wong humanely. The allegations of the SDP and Wong are therefore frivolous."