PETALING JAYA, Sept 25 — The murder of an 18-year-old National Service trainee while in camp has raised disturbing questions over the protection of teenagers in closed environments.
Parents have since told The Malay Mail that the authorities should step up security in NS camps as youths are increasingly exposed to violence.
Muhamad Suhaimi Norhamidi was found unconscious in the bathroom on one of the floors at the Muadzam Shah camp in Pahang on Monday at 12.30am.
Pahang deputy CID chief Supt Mohd Haris Daud said initial investigations indicated that Suhaimi could have been bludgeoned to death with a blunt object by fellow trainees who had got into a fight with him on Sunday.
“We believe the victim had angered several trainees when he cut queue during breakfast on Sunday.”
Mohd Haris said this led to a fight between Suhaimi and several others a few hours later.
“The fistfight again erupted between them at about 11pm. The victim was found in the bathroom by fellow trainees more than an hour later.”
The unconscious Suhaimi was rushed to Muadzam Shah Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
It is not known if camp commanders were aware of the fight.
Police have detained three trainees aged between 18 and 21 from the Pinggiran Pelangi dormitory of the camp. They were picked up on Monday afternoon.
The trio, who gave their statements to the Muadzam Shah police station, have been remanded until Sept 30.
A post-mortem revealed that Suhaimi was bludgeoned to death with a blunt object and had bruises on the back of his ears.
The report revealed that the victim died of internal bleeding in the head due to blunt force trauma.
NS Training Department acting director-general Rozainor Ramli had earlier said a special unit had been set up to investigate the case.
The camp management declined comment.
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