The mother of a Johor university student who died during a Reserve Officers Training Unit (Rotu) exercise in Ulu Tiram, Johor, last week, has requested for her lawyer to be included in an inter-ministry committee probing the case.

Kota Tinggi police chief Yusof Othman yesterday said no criminal elements or external injuries were initially found on the body of Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, 22, but laboratory results were still pending to confirm the cause of death.

Lawyer Naran Singh, representing Syamsul's mother, Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun, said, "she is very unhappy with what has happened."

"She still feels there is some foul play, and her request is to include her lawyer in the special committee, so that it will be more transparent," Naran told Malaysiakini today.

Naran also confirmed that Ummu had requested for him to be included in the inter-ministry committee announced earlier today.

Defence Minister Khaled Nordin reportedly said the committee, comprising the Defence, Home, and Higher Education Ministries, has begun its investigation.

Following an initial report lodged on July 28, Ummu yesterday lodged another report at the Kajang police headquarters yesterday, alleging possible foul play after noticing injuries on her son’s body.

She said she observed severe bruising, bleeding from the nose and eyes, and wounds resembling gunshot injuries, and that the injuries appeared inconsistent with the explanations provided to her.

She suspected that her son had been murdered and urged authorities to launch a full investigation.

Ministry forms committee to probe UTM cadet death - Khaled

Ministry forms committee to probe UTM cadet death - Khaled

Police confirm no criminal element in death of UTM cadet

Police confirm no criminal element in death of UTM cadet

Police launch probe into UTM trainee's death

Police launch probe into UTM trainee's death