Former inspector-general of police (IGP) Musa Hassan has urged the police to investigate all cases of ‘sudden death’ as murder, including that of security guard C Sugumar in Hulu Langat on Jan 23.

“When there is a case of ‘sudden death’, the investigation should be same as murder,” he told reporters when asked to comment on Sugumar, who is alleged to have been beaten to death after being stopped and handcuffed by police personnel.

The police have denied involvement in his death and have decided on an inquest to determine the cause, which a post-mortem has attributed to ‘blockage in his heart’ .

NONE An inquest, Musa (right) noted, is only conducted if the cause of death cannot be determined.

“If they're not sure what happened, then the most likely thing, according to the procedure, is to (carry out) an inquest - because then, the magistrate will get evidence, ascertain whether there was any foul play and (identify) the party responsible.

“If you're not sure, you cannot simply (say) that it is murder.”

Musa was speaking at a press conference in Petaling Jaya, called by newly-established NGO MyWatch, of which he is the patron.

‘Family should cooperate’

Sugumar's family will boycott the inquest , having earlier insisted that the police should categorise the case as murder .

NONE But Musa was of the opinion that the family should assist the police in the investigation.

“They need to assist the police if they think the death was caused by someone, or it was different from the investigation outcome - meaning they have to submit witnesses to the incident to the police,” he said.

The family has requested the services of Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand (left) to carry out an independent post-mortem , and are seeking the required authorisation for this.

Three eyewitnesses have given statements to the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters, claiming they had seen a police officer placing his boot on Sugumar's neck, while the security guard was struggling to free himself.