Open verdict declared in inquest into Naval cadet Soosaimanicckam's death

IPOH: An open verdict was declared into the death of Naval cadet officer J. Soosaimanicckam at a Coroner’s Court here on Friday. (June 16)

Sessions Court judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad, who sat as Coroner, said the deceased was feeling unwell two days before his death on May 19, 2018.

She said on the day of his death, he had defecated in his pants, fell unconscious, and was brought to the Lumut Armed Forces Hospital where he passed away.

“The cause of his death is established as pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs).

“Despite there being so many contradictory possibilities, the court finds that in the negative, and therefore this is an open verdict,” she said in her judgement.

The Coroner’s Court has been probing the cause of the cadet’s death during his training stint at the naval base on May 19, 2018.

Soosaimanicckam was pronounced dead at the Lumut Armed Forces Hospital.

He had reported for duty on May 12, a week before his death.

Zaid Abd Malek and Mahajoth Singh, who are part of Lawyers for Liberty, are representing Soosaimanicckam’s family, Evangelin Simon Silvaraj is prosecuting, and lawyer Cheang Lek Choy is holding a watching brief for the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.

When met outside the courtroom, Soosaimanicckam’s father S. Joseph, 70, said the family was not satisfied with the verdict.

Joseph said both his other two sons and he have been coming to court back and forth from Klang for the past five years.

“I want justice for my son, and those responsible for his death must be punished accordingly.

“I cannot accept the verdict. I will not just stop here. I want justice for my son,” he added.

Mahajoth said they would probably be looking at an appeal against the verdict.

“There was clear evidence that came out during the inquest, from the cadets who are still with the Navy, and from those who had left.

“Interestingly both of these groups had different experiences with Soosaimanicckam, with the group that had left seeming to be more truthful,” he added.

Zaid said after discussing with the family members, they would probably file an appeal with the High Court.

“The victim was given a clear bill of health before joining training, but just a week into training, he died.

“The cause of death is listed as pulmonary oedema, but what caused this is left unaddressed,” he added.