‘Lock-up death victim had fever’

Ministry: Ten other detainees also suffered similar symptoms

KUALA LUMPUR: The man reported to have died in the Shah Alam central police lock-up had suffered from fever, stomachache, diarrhoea and loss of appetite for four days before his death, says the Health Ministry.

Ten other detainees were also unwell and complained of similar symptoms, it added.

Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 38-year-old Thanabalan Subramaniam had suddenly lost consciousness on Tuesday and was immediately taken to the Hospital Shah Alam Emergency Department.

He was confirmed dead by a medical officer there.

“The cause of death is still not known and we are waiting for the post-mortem report by the hospital,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Dr Noor Hisham said the man had been detained in the lock-up since March 29.

Kapar MP G. Manivanan had issued a statement earlier, alleging negligence and failure on the part of police to refer Thanabalan to doctors and medical services, resulting in his death.

Thanabalan was arrested by police 20 days ago and was detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) for suspected involvement in organised crime.

Dr Noor Hisham said investigations showed that of the 10 cases, nine complained of mild symptoms such as cough and cold while one had stomachache and diarrhoea.

He added that seven of the detainees were treated while in the lockup by a medical team from Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang, while three others were referred to Hospital Shah Alam for treatment and subsequently allowed to leave.

“The ministry will continue to monitor the situation,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said a team from the district Health Office and the state Health Department had been actively carrying out prevention and control measures at the lockup, such as disinfecting the cells and separating those with the symptoms from healthy detainees until they were well.

The staff members and detainees were also monitored on a daily basis and referred to the nearest health facility if they were not well, he said, adding that they were also made aware of infectious disease prevention and control practices.

Checks on environmental cleanliness and food safety were also carried out, Dr Noor Hisham added.