00:00The Ipoh High Court on Monday overturned the coroner's open verdict in the death of naval
00:06cadet J. Susaymanikam, revised it to homicide. Justice Datuk Abdul Wahab Mohammed said the
00:13cause of death was pulmonary edema from leptospirosis, and the untimely death was a direct result
00:19of the Malaysian Royal Navy officers not allowing the cadet to seek medical treatment.
00:25The court ruled that given the evidence and the coroner's limited judicial review, the
00:29court overturns the open verdict and substitutes it with homicide. The court also ruled pursuant
00:35to the Chief Justice's Practice Direction No. 2 and Section 337 of the Criminal Procedure
00:41Code, an inquiry will be conducted to determine who is criminally responsible for the death.
00:47On June 23, the Sessions Court, acting as a coroner's court, returned an open verdict
00:52after Coroner Ainul Shahreen Mohammed attributed Susaymanikam's death on May 19, 2018, to pulmonary
00:59edema. Reports revealed the deceased had collapsed, was rushed to Lumut Armed Forces Hospital
01:05and was confirmed dead. The Navy had announced on a statement the next day that Susaymanikam
01:10complained of chest pains and breathing difficulties after physical training the previous day.
01:16When met outside court, lawyer Zaid Malik said they are grateful of the High Court's
01:20decision and expressed hope to seek justice for the deceased.
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