KUALA LUMPUR: The death of a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Reserve Officers’ Training Unit (Palapes) cadet has reignited allegations of bullying in higher-learning institutions.
Cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, 22, died on July 28 at Kota Tinggi Hospital after completing training at the Combat Inoculation Firing Range of the Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada) in Ulu Tiram, Johor.
His mother, Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun, 45, had called for an immediate and transparent investigation into her son’s death, claiming that she had seen bruises and unusual marks on her son’s body.
However, Kota Tinggi police chief Superintendent Yusof Othman said the case was classified as a sudden death report (SDR).
A post-mortem revealed no criminal injuries, but full laboratory results are still pending and may take up to three months.
However, the mother yesterday demanded a second post mortem, insisting that her son did not die from seizure as claimed by the authorities.
She said there were injuries or criminal elements after allegedly seeing bruising around one eye, unusual nosebleed and chest wounds on her son’s body.
Ummu Haiman also said she was allowed to partially view her son’s body up to the abdomen only and was prohibited from lifting the shroud over him.
The family was also barred from taking photographs and could only view the body from the left side.
UTM had said in a statement that it was committed to supporting the family and helping the authorities to ensure that the investigation was conducted diligently, transparently and fairly.
Following public concern, the government had set up a multi-agency special committee comprising the Defence, Higher Education and Home Ministries to investigate the incident.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir had given an assurance that no party would be protected from accountability if wrongdoing was found in Syamsul Haris’ death.
Zambry, who visited Ummu Haiman recently, said the family’s concerns over the circumstances of his death must be addressed without delay.
He said the task force investigating the death was expected to finalise its report soon.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
