‘No cover-up in navy cadet’s death’
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has given the assurance that there will be no cover-up in the investigation involving a navy cadet, who died while undergoing training in Lumut, Perak, on May 19.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said the investigation into Graduate Officer Cadet J. Soosaimanicckam’s death would be carried out professionally, independently and fairly.
He appealed to Soosaimanicckam’s family to be patient and wait for the probe’s outcome.
Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, said he had instructed the navy to release a report on its probe into the cadet’s death.
He said action would be taken against those involved if there was evidence of any misconduct.
Soosaimanicckam’s family had demanded that the navy and police provide an explanation on the cause of his death.
It was reported that Soosaimanicckam, 27, died on board KD Sultan Idris.
The family’s lawyer, N. Surendran, was quoted as saying that the family was concerned as the preliminary report stated that Soosaimanicckam died due to fluid in the lungs.
He said this was strange as the medical report prior to the training showed he was fit.
A news portal reported on May 20, quoting Manjung district police chief Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Hanif Othman, that the forensic report had ruled out foul play in the cadet’s death and that he died due to fluid in the lungs.
Mohamad and his wife, Normah Alwi, as well as representatives of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the ministry departed from the Subang Air Base to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka using a Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft.
They were welcomed by the Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib.
Mohamad then paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before he travelled to Chittagong to visit the refugee’s camp in Cox’s Bazar.