Death of detainee in Kluang Prison: 12 people questioned

JOHOR BARU: Police have recorded the statements of 12 witnesses in their probe into the death of a Kluang Prison detainee.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat (pic below) said three of the detainee’s family members, his five cell mates and four prison employees have had their statements taken.

“The investigation is still ongoing, pending the post-mortem report and we will be following up about it with the hospital as well.

“We are also waiting for a few more laboratory reports that are needed to conclude our findings,” he told a press conference after the Johor police monthly assembly at its headquarters here on Tuesday (July 26).

He was asked to give an update about the deceased detainee Kim Shih Keat, who was fined RM15,000 and sent to Kluang Prison for seven days from June 22 for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Comm Kamarul Zaman said on June 28, which was the 36-year-old’s last day of detention at the Kluang Prison, the detainee fainted and was rushed to the Kluang hospital at around 7.30am for medical attention.

“He was later pronounced dead at the hospital and a post-mortem on the body was conducted.

“The detainee’s body was handed over to his family on June 29,” he said, adding that police would make an announcement soon after the investigation has concluded.

It was reported that Kim’s family claimed that the man looked well the last time they saw him and that they only found out about his death through a funeral home.

They also claimed that the deceased had wounds and scratch marks on his body when they saw his lifeless body.