Minister for Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has stated that prison officers are authorised to search inmates’ cells at any time if prohibited items are found in their possession or inside their cells.

His remarks came following reports criticising searches conducted in the cells of two journalists jailed for contempt of court after a mobile phone was discovered in their cell.

In a post shared on X today, Minister Ihusaan said that individuals imprisoned under a court order are treated as inmates under the regulations and procedures governing the prison system. He stressed that all inmates are subject to the same standards and treatment regardless of the offence for which they were imprisoned.

The minister said that once a person is placed in custody, prison authorities handle them in line with established inmate management procedures applied throughout the prison system.

He further noted that if prohibited items are discovered on an inmate or inside a cell under their control, prison officers are authorised to enter and search the area, including during late-night hours if necessary.

Minister Ihusaan added that such searches are carried out in an organised and regulated manner and is part of standard procedures implemented across all prisons.