A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is hoping that the actual cause of death of a medical officer in Langkawi will be given justice through a second post-mortem.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) said that the family, suspicious of the initial post-mortem conducted on the late Dr Sebastian Joseph, wants the second post mortem to be taken on by an Australian doctor - Dr Richard Byron Collins.

“...even though the post-mortem took place a day after his death in November 2010, the report by the Langkawi Hspital only came out five months afterwards (March 8, 2011).

“The family questions why the post-mortem was conducted not by a surgeon, but by one of the hospital’s normal medical staff - Dr Muhammad Arif Mohamad Rasat,” said Suaram in a statement yesterday.

Dr Sebastian was found dead at his house in Langkawi in a very suspicious manner; kneeling and with his hands gripped in a fist on Nov 15, four years ago, at the age of 30.

The death certificate listed his death as “unascertained”.

Based on discussions and meetings with the family, the human rights NGO stated that the family believes the doctor did not die the way it was stated in the death certificate.

They also believe that his death was not sudden as he was found in a strange position.

“We urge the court to give the family authorisation to have a second post-mortem done on the doctor,” the NGO said, adding that the Alor Star High Court will have its hearing today.

Suaram, elaborating further, said that the delay in the post-mortem report only invited people’s suspicions that there might be efforts to hide the actual cause of Dr Sebastian’s death.

“It is also surprising to know that the family have yet to be told of the investigation status on the case, even though four years have passed.

“Every time the family asked the police if there are any developments in the case, they are told that the department needs more time,” Suaram said.

The mother of Dr Sebastian claimed her son was healthy and did not have any sort of health problems, as illustrated by a report from Penang Department of Chemistry which cleared the deceased from the any drug influence.

Their lawyer, M Visvanathan, is representing the family to request for the second post-mortem today.