Court orders UTM cadet's remains exhumed for second post-mortem

The Shah Alam High Court today ordered the exhumation of the grave of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Reserve Officers Training Unit (Rotu) cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, 22, buried at the Kampung Rinching Ulu Muslim cemetery in Semenyih, Hulu Langat.

Judicial commissioner Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet granted the application filed by the deceased’s mother, Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun, 45.

In delivering the ruling, Bhupindar directed that the inspector-general of police or his officers oversee the exhumation and conduct a second post-mortem on the remains of Ummu’s eldest son.

“The first respondent may seek assistance from any relevant parties if deemed necessary,” he said, reading the decision.

Senior federal counsel Nurul Huda Salehuddin appeared for the IGP, Selangor prosecution director Kalmizah Salleh represented the attorney-general, and Naran Singh acted for Ummu.

Bhupindar further ordered that a forensic pathologist from Hospital Kuala Lumpur conduct a second post-mortem on the remains of Syamsul within 14 days of exhumation.

“The post-mortem shall be carried out in the presence of forensic expert Dr Bhupinder Singh and counsel appointed by the family, Naran, or a representative from Messrs Naran Singh & Co.

“Further, the forensic pathologist conducting the examination is directed to prepare and deliver the post-mortem report within a reasonable time from the date of the procedure, and a copy of the report must be provided to the applicant’s solicitors, Messrs Naran Singh & Co,” he ruled.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Naran said preparations were underway to ensure the exhumation could be carried out promptly, with the date to be set by the IGP.

“The IGP and relevant state religious authorities are involved in the matter. They will set the date for the exhumation. For example, if they decide on this Friday, the post-mortem must be conducted within 14 days from that date,” he said.

Accurate, transparent, conclusive findings

Ummu expressed gratitude for the court’s decision allowing her son’s grave to be exhumed.

“At the very least, we can now learn the true cause of death. I hope the post-mortem findings will be accurate, transparent and conclusive,” she said, adding that a thorough and impartial investigation must be conducted, without shielding any party.

On Aug 19, she filed the application seeking, among others, a second post-mortem and the initiation of an inquest into her son’s death.

Syamsul, 22, died on July 28 at Kota Tinggi Hospital, Johor, while undergoing training at the Combat Inoculation Firing Range, Army Combat Training Centre in Ulu Tiram, Johor.

He was buried the following day at the Kampung Riching Ulu Muslim cemetery in Selangor.

- Bernama

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