PI Bala dies after heart attack

PETALING JAYA: Former private investigator P. Balasubramaniam has died from an apparent heart attack in Rawang.

Balasubramaniam, 53, better known as PI Bala, had complained of breathing difficulties at about 1.30pm yesterday and was rushed to a clinic by family members.

Subang MP R. Sivarasa said Bala died while waiting for an ambulance to send him to Sungai Buloh Hospital,

“We believe he died after a heart attack,” he said when met at the hospital yesterday.

The PKR vice-president said Bala complained of chest pains on March 1 and was admitted to a private medical centre.

“Doctors discovered he had three blockages,” Sivarasa said, adding that Bala was discharged on Tuesday.

“He was supposed to go for a bypass in three weeks but it was not to be.”

Sivarasa said a post-mortem would be conducted and the funeral is expected to be held today.

Bala's sister-in-law A. Vimala, 43, said she spoke to him last year.

“I can't believe he is gone,” she added.

Bala's wife Santamil Selvi, 46, and son Kishen, 16, were at the hospital.

He also leaves behind another son Rishi, 11, and daughter Meenaga, 15.

Bala gained notoriety after making two separate statutory declarations on the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaarii-buu.

In a second SD filed on July 4, 2008, the private detective retracted the first sworn document which he had made three days earlier.

He was also a prosecution witness in the trial.

Bala had only recently returned to the country from India and said he intended to campaign for the Opposition.