Man dies in police custody in Kuala Muda

KUALA LUMPUR: A man who was arrested in Kuala Muda, Kedah, has died in police custody.

Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department director Comm Datuk Seri Azri Ahmad said the 39-year-old man was arrested under Section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act on Thursday.

"He was brought to the Kuala Muda District Police Headquarters Narcotic Crime Investigation Department and was undergoing documentation processes when he complained he was in pain.

"The police there immediately contacted the hospital and a medical officer from Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital came to the scene," he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 8).

He said the medical officer confirmed that the man had died.

"An autopsy has been performed at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar at 10am on Friday.

"A Covid-19 test was also done and came back negative," he said, adding that the cause of death has yet to be determined as it was pending laboratory investigations.

He said that while the laboratory results were pending the case has been classified as sudden death.

"The Crime and Death in Custody Investigations Unit will investigate the case from all angles before handing over the findings to the coroner," he said.