Cops record 19 statements in probe into 10-year-old's death at HTAR

SHAH ALAM: Police have recorded 19 statements over the death of Dea Maisarah Bada at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) Klang near here.

Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said statements were taken from a group of doctors at the hospital, the girl's parents, neighbors and representatives from the victim's school.

"We also recorded statements from police personnel who were on duty at the HTAR police beat base during the incident.

"We are in the midst of obtaining closed circuit television (CCTV) footage from the area of the incident for the purpose of further investigation.

"We are also waiting for a full forensic report on the child's death.

"The investigation papers on the case will be completed in the near future," he told reporters on Tuesday (July 25).

When asked about whether any element of negligence had been detected, Hussein explained that the matter is still under investigation.

"So far, we are not able to give any comments related to which party was negligent because this matter is still being investigated by the police," he said.

It was reported on July 18 that an internal investigation of the recent death of a 10-year-old girl in a Klang public hospital, allegedly due to negligence, was being carried out.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said when any complaint is filed, the procedure requires an internal investigation to be conducted.

Dea Maisarah Bada, 10, allegedly died while receiving treatment at the government hospital.

The matter has gone viral on social media, with the hospital being accused of making a false report on the child's death by saying that she was brought in dead.

Comm Hussein was quoted confirming that two reports were lodged about the death, and that an investigation had begun under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.