A forensic pathologist told a public inquiry probing alleged rights abuse at the Taiping prison that a detainee who died during a relocation exercise this year might have been attacked.
Dr Tan Lii Jye, from Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, told the Suhakam inquiry that the body of Gan Chin Eng was referred to him on Jan 18. Gan’s remains were initially sent to the Taiping hospital for a post-mortem.
Tan conducted the post-mortem the next day and found six internal injuries and one external injury on the back of the inmate’s body.
“(The force inflicted upon Gan) had caused liver rupture, internal stomach bleeding and several broken rib bones”.
The doctor concluded that Gan’s death was caused by “abdominal injury due to blunt force” and that “the pattern of Gan’s injuries were inconsistent with a fall”.
Tan told the inquiry that the injuries were inflicted on Gan before the detainee died.
“However, I cannot determine if any object was used. I can suggest that he was attacked from the back and he might have been leaning or lying on the floor.
“It (the force) can be caused by kicking or stepping,” he said, adding that he found no long-term injuries on Gan.
Lawyer Andrew Khoo, who is holding a watching brief for the Malaysian Bar, asked Tan about the police report lodged by Gan’s family on Jan 18.
“They said they did not want a post-mortem (initially) and that they would not seek compensation from anyone (allegedly) responsible,” Khoo added.
Tan told the inquiry that under the health ministry’s SOP, the hospital would not issue a death certificate for Gan unless a post-mortem was conducted.
He also said that the police refused to sign the death certificate until they got the go ahead from the magistrate for a post-mortem to be carried out.
Khoo: You also mentioned that you conducted about 100 post-mortems on death in custody cases. How many of them actually went to the legal process in court where an inquest was held?
Tan: I just received two subpoenas from court for two cases. I have no idea why there were no further inquiries (on other deaths in custody cases).
No arrests made, inquiry told
Separately, Siti Nor Rasyidah M Nadzri, the police officer probing Gan’s death, said they questioned 214 witnesses, including fellow inmates, doctors and prison officers.
Inquiry chairman Hishamudin Yunus then asked if police had arrested anyone during the investigation process.
Rasheeda said that there was no instruction from her superior to do so.
Hishamudin: Is this considered a high-profile case?
Rasheeda: Yes, because it involves a government agency and civil servants.
The Suhakam inquiry is investigating allegations that more than 100 inmates at the Taiping prison were assaulted by around 60 wardens during a relocation exercise from Hall B to Block E on Jan 17.
The inquiry, chaired by Hishamudin and commissioner Farah Nini Dusuki, is also examining claims that one inmate died and several others were injured as a result of the alleged abuse.
The inquiry resumes tomorrow.
