Calls mount for probe into cadet's 2018 death amid police silence

The family of J Soosaimanicckam have again taken authorities to task over their silence on whether police have reopened investigations into the naval cadet officer’s death.

This followed a 2024 Ipoh High Court verdict, ruling the 2018 death of the 27-year-old as a homicide.

Soosaimanicckam’s father, S Joseph, reportedly said the family has yet to receive any updates on the matter from authorities, despite memorandums submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), Bukit Aman police headquarters, and Human Rights Commission (Suhakam).

“We lodged a police report urging Bukit Aman to investigate who caused my son’s death, as ruled by the court. Yet the police remain silent despite our memorandum,” Free Malaysia Today quoted Joseph as saying during a press conference today.

The father also urged authorities to ensure transparency and enforce accountability in the case, in line with the court’s finding that Soosaimanicckam’s death was a homicide and that the cause of death was pulmonary oedema due to leptospirosis.

Also present at the press conference was civil society organisation Suaram’s executive director, Azura Nasron, who called on the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) to step in and review the matter.

She argued that such a step is necessary as the police apparently refused to act despite the family having done all they could.

Last month, MPs and NGOs demanded answers and immediate action from the authorities regarding Soosaimanicckam’s death, with Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing urging that an independent investigative task force be established.

In May, the deceased’s family members handed a memorandum to the AGC asking it to instruct the police to open a new investigation into the death.

The memorandum also contained requests for an independent and neutral probe by the Bukit Aman police headquarters, for a timeline to be given to the family, and for updates to be provided on the case.

The following month, Suhakam also urged the AGC to conduct a similar inquiry, highlighting that the case was a violation of international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Alleged ragging during training

In August last year, Soosaimanicckam’s family submitted a memorandum to Bukit Aman, demanding an investigation into his death in line with the High Court’s findings.

The string of calls for action came after Ipoh High Court judge Abdul Wahab Mohamed ruled that the death was a direct consequence of Royal Malaysian Navy officers in charge of his training and that the officers denied the deceased’s request to seek medical treatment.

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

In December last year, his family failed in their lawsuit against the Malaysian Armed Forces Council, the defence minister, the Malaysian government, and 12 others.

Sessions Court Judge Idah Ismail struck out the suit with costs of RM10,000. The family is understood to be appealing the decision at the High Court.

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