GOPENG, May 29 — The parent of an 18-year-old who died under ‘suspicious circumstances’ after he was found drowned in Chamang waterfall two months ago is seeking justice for his child.
Mohamad Amirul Nashriq Othman, a foundation student from the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) died due to drowning on March 24.
The victim’s father Othman Yusoff, 51, said that he is suspicious of the circumstances leading to his son’s death as Mohamad Amirul had told their family that he was beaten by his seniors just three days before the incident.
“My son sent pictures of his swollen body to our family Whatsapp chat group on the night he was beaten. He also complained that he (suffered) pain in the chest and had breathing difficulties following the incident,” he told reporters.
“He told us that he was beaten by three seniors for reporting late for the marching session,” he said.
Othman also claimed that his son’s friend was beaten by the seniors as well and was subsequently sent to a hospital for treatment.
“We were scared and ask him to come back home on the weekend. I also banked-in RM300 for his traveling expenses.
“However, my son did not come back on the weekend. And at around 6pm on Saturday (March 24), I received a call from his girlfriend that he died due to drowning,” he said.
Othman also expressed doubt over the postmortem report from the Bentong Hospital.
“The doctor who did the autopsy claims that the bruises on my son’s body resulted from hitting the rock in the waterfall when drowning.
“What is more suspicious is why would a person who complains of breathing difficulties and chest pain go for a swim in the waterfall with his friends,” he said.
“The officers from UPNM who were present at the hospital refused to let us talk with my son’s friend who was with him when the incident happened,” Othman added.
Othman said that he had lodged a police report on this matter the next day, after his son’s burial ceremony.
However, Othman said the authorities, including UPNM and the Ministry of Defence, did not take any action to investigate the cause of his son’s death.
Meanwhile, Gopeng Member of Parliament Dr Lee Boon Chye urged the authorities to start an inquest on this matter and requested the Bentong Hospital to release a detailed post mortem report on the death of the victim.
“As a medical doctor, I know that there are a lot of possibilities that internal injuries could lead to death.
“The authorities should investigate the case and the culture of ragging should be stopped immediately in this country,” he said.
Another, prominent bullying case involving UPNM is the murder of naval cadet Zulfarhan Osman Zulkarnain last year May.
Zulfarhan sustained severe injuries, including burns on his body, believed to be from having a steam iron pressed onto his chest, hands and feet.
