Police Confirm No Criminal Element In Death Of UTM Palapes Cadet

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Police today confirmed that no criminal element was found in the death of a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Reserve Officer Training Unit (PALAPES) cadet at the Malaysian Army Combat Training Centre (PULADA), Ulu Tiram here.

Kota Tinggi district police chief Supt Yusof Othman said autopsy results revealed no injuries of criminal nature on the body of the 22-year-old and are still waiting for laboratory results to determine cause of death.

The police received a report about the incident at 5.33 pm, July 28 after the victim suddenly started rambling and lost control while undergoing combat inoculation training at PULADA at about 2.30 pm.

“The victim was taken to Kota Tinggi Hospital by army medical officers, but was pronounced dead while being treated at the emergency area. The case is classified as sudden death and is being investigated by Kota Tinggi police station chief, ASP Abd Rahim Idris,” he said in a statement today.

Yusof also said that a comprehensive investigation is being conducted, including recording statements from witnesses and medical officers involved to identify the real cause of the incident.

This follows a news report stating that the victim’s mother, Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun lodged a police report after she found bruises on the body of her son, Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, which she suspected to be from gunshots.

Meanwhile, UTM issued a statement expressing its sadness over the death of its student, Syamsul Haris, and said it would fully cooperate with the authorities as they conduct a thorough and complete investigation into the matter.

-- BERNAMA