KUALA LUMPUR: A Navy officer told the Sessions Court here that naval cadet officer J. Soosaimanicckam rejected seeking treatment three times even though he appeared weak while undergoing training at KD Sultan Idris Navy Base in Lumut.
Lt R. Rashwin, 43, who is now serving as engineering division chief at the Region 3 logistics depot at the Naval Base in Langkawi, Kedah, said that as soon as he finished his duties on May 19, 2018, Soosaimanicckam met with him to ask for time to rest.
“I allowed the deceased to sit on a chair next to me. When he was resting, I found he was quiet and looked a bit weak. I asked if he wanted to report in sick and get treatment, but he rejected my suggestion three times,” he said when reading his witness statement in front of Sessions judge Idah Ismail yesterday.
The sixth defence witness was providing his testimony in a lawsuit filed by Soosaimanicckam’s father S. Joseph against several individuals, including Navy officers, admirals, the Malaysian Armed Forces Council, the Defence Minister and the Malaysian government.
Rashwin answered Federal Counsel Abdul Hakim Abdul Karim’s question about the condition of the deceased at that time, stating that he had asked him three times but was rejected and told that he was okay even though Soosaimanicckam was taking deep breaths calmly.
Rashwin, who was then an officer in training with the rank of junior lieutenant of the 11th junior officer application training, said he invited the deceased to go out with him in his car.
“He was excited and agreed. I asked him to get ready and he got up and walked to Wisma Kadet at about 11.55am. My real intention was to take him to the Lumut Armed Forces Hospital. I waited in front of the dormitory to take him to hospital.
“At about 12.15pm, I was informed by his batchmates that he was very weak and was in the bathroom,” he said, adding that he instructed the batchmates to help prepare the deceased to be brought to the hospital for treatment.
“He was carried into the car and I rushed to the hospital. As soon as he arrived, he was admitted to the emergency room by the doctor on duty,” he said.
The trial continues today.
