PAS MP urges fitting reward for dead trooper's family

A PAS lawmaker has urged the government to give a “fitting reward” to the family of armed forces trooper K Indiran, who died on Thursday after falling unconscious during training in Kuantan, Pahang.

Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the family had suffered the loss of two members in a decade while serving the country.

He was referring to Indiran’s father, C Kayamboo, a Royal Malaysian Air Force pilot who was killed in an air crash at the Butterworth Air Force Base in Penang in 2016.

“They have made big sacrifices which deserve a fitting reward from the government. I am of the view that the government should be more proactive in appreciating the victim’s family.

“They should consider giving the victim’s mother, S Usha, comprehensive assistance, appropriate official recognition, and ensure her welfare is taken care of in the long term.

“She not only lost a husband but has now lost a son during their service to the country,” he said in a statement.

What happened?

The PAS information chief also called on Putrajaya to provide a transparent explanation of the circumstances surrounding the 22-year-old soldier’s death.

Indiran was taken to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital after he fell unconscious while undergoing training with the First Regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps in a camp in Kuantan. He died while receiving treatment.

Fadhli said every service member has the right to be in a safe training environment.

“A transparent investigation is important not only to ensure justice for the family, but also to ensure confidence in the country’s defence institution,” he added.

The lawmaker expressed hope that the full post-mortem report would confirm that there was no bullying or torture involved in the trooper’s death.

Mother’s grief

Indiran’s mother initially expressed doubts about the circumstances and sought answers about what had caused her son’s passing.

However, Usha later dismissed claims that her son had been bullied during training, citing a post-mortem examination which found no physical injuries on his body.

She also admitted feeling conflicted if any of her other children wished to join the security forces or uniformed services.

This includes her third child, Sarvien, 17, who is studying at the Mara Junior Science College of the Royal Malaysia Police in Kulim, Kedah.

“It is like 50-50 for me. Because twice now tragedy has struck in my life. The trauma is real. If he (Sarvien) wants to, I cannot say anything. Just like Indiran. I once told him not to join the military, but he wanted to.

“If you ask me what I want right now, I want my son back alive. But that cannot be, can it? What we can do now is let him go in peace,” she said.

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