Open new probe into navy cadet's death, family urges AGC

Summary

• Family of deceased navy cadet J Soosaimanicckam hands over a memorandum to the AGC, asking it to instruct the police to open a new investigation into his death.

• An independent and neutral team from Bukit Aman must conduct the probe, the memorandum says.

The family of deceased navy cadet J Soosaimanicckam handed over a memorandum to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), asking it to instruct the police to open a new investigation into his death.

The probe must be conducted by an independent and neutral team from the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters, the memorandum said.

“To our knowledge, there’s no investigation. Police have not conducted an investigation, and we have already sent (a) memorandum (to Bukit Aman).

“Because if they did an investigation, then they would have already asked the family to take (their) statements,” said PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan at the press conference after the memorandum handover.

He said a special team must handle the investigation, due to the case involving navy officers.

The memorandum was submitted to AGC declarations officer Abdul Aziz Salleh.

Next Monday (May 19) marks Soosaimanicckam’s seventh death anniversary.

He was pronounced dead at the Lumut Military Hospital on May 19, 2018, after alleged ragging during training.

It’s homicide

In August last year, Soosaimanicckam’s family submitted a memorandum to Bukit Aman, demanding an investigation following the Ipoh High Court decision that his death was a homicide.

Judge Abdul Wahab Mohamed ruled that the 27-year-old’s death was a direct consequence of the navy officers in charge of his training.

The memorandum today asked for a timeline to be given to the family, who further asked for the police to provide them with updates on the case.

Arutchelvan went on to compare Soosaimanicckam’s death to that of Teoh Beng Hock, alleging that there were many cover-ups involved.

“We need people to do a transparent investigation with the guidance of the attorney-general,” he said.

Proper procedures followed

Soosaimanicckam’s brother, Charles Joseph, said the family has followed all proper procedures in seeking justice for his death, but has yet to receive any updates.

Joseph referred to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s promises of a transparent government, saying he hopes such a policy is implemented throughout the entire government.

He and his father, Charles Sinnappan, were present today wearing shirts depicting Soosaimanicckam in uniform, along with text reading “justice for Soosaimanicckam".

On the back was a Bible verse, which Joseph said was one of Soosaimanicckam’s favourites.

Besides that, Arutchelvan pointed out that all of Charles’ children were involved in the country’s uniformed units.

“All their children are in the uniformed units, so they are a family that is very devoted to the country,” he said.

Suara Rakyat Malaysia’s Karthiges Rajamanickam, who was also present, said this memorandum handover is the last step before the group moves on to more drastic measures.

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