KUALA LUMPUR: The mother of a university cadet who died during a training camp last month said her son had told her before his death that he was being provoked, and that several people were unhappy with him.
Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun, 45, said her son, Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, 22, was called “Gopal” by his peers – a form of provocation. She did not name those allegedly unhappy with Syamsul.
Syamsul, a Reserve Officer Training Unit (Palapes) cadet, died on July 28 at Kota Tinggi Hospital, reportedly from a seizure. He had been undergoing training at a camp in Skudai, Johor, at the time.
An inter-ministry task force with representatives from the Defence, Home and Higher Education ministries is investigating the incident.
Ummu Haiman has insisted her son’s death was not due to a seizure, citing bleeding and injuries on his body.
She said there were discrepancies between the time she was told her son was unwell and the hospital’s records of his death.
A family member was also informed that Syamsul had been involved in a fight at the camp, she added.
“So, I am demanding a second post-mortem for real answers regarding his death,” she said.
Earlier today, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said the task force investigating Syamsul’s death is expected to finalise its report soon.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
