Dr Pornthip can conduct Sugumar's autopsy, but...

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said today his ministry had “no issues” with having Thai forensic pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunan in Malaysia over the alleged police brutality case of C. Sugumar.

However, Liow said it is necessary to follow legal procedures, which requires the foreign expert to register with the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) and show her qualifications before she is allowed to conduct a post mortem on Sugumar’s body.

He said Inspector-Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar will also have to issue a letter to compel the ministry to allow a second post mortem.

“Only the police or the courts can write officially and directly to the ministry. If we have that then there is no problem, we can facilitate,” said Liow.

Asked if a registration would take a long time, Liow replied: "It is quite easy. The MMC, which is the statutory body governing doctors, can give her a temporay certificate to practice here.”

“She must be qualified, if she is a specialist, the documents must be there,” he said, adding that this would take only one or two days.

“We don’t want to make things difficult for people. We are not stopping them from exercising their rights."

Liow also defended the autopsy report prepared by a local expert, saying Sugumar's family should “trust the system”.

“The cause of death was sudden death, and not due to any foul play. We only found a narrowing of the artery that could have caused a heart attack. If there were any injuries to the head or internally, we would have been able to test and find that.

“The doctors we have are all professionals. The post mortem results are very transparent. The family should have looked at it in detail and not make rash accusations. In any case, we are not stopping them," he said.

Yesterday, it was reported that the family lawyers of Sugumar, N. Surendran and Latheefa Koya, had sought Dr Pornthip’s help and the latter had agreed, in principle, to carry out a second post mortem.

The lawyers said that Dr Pornthip was only concerned that she might not be able to conduct the autopsy herself. They also said they had written to the Prime Minister and Liow for the authorities to grant permission to conduct the second post mortem.

Sugumar, the 40-year-old security guard died after being chased by a mob on Jan 23, in Hulu Langat.

Witness accounts reportedly claimed that Sugumar was handcuffed by policemen, smeared with turmeric and allegedly beaten by a group of men. This led to claims that police brutality had directly caused the death.

However, a post-mortem finding by Serdang Hospital revealed that Sugumar died of a heart attack.

Police, who have not agreed to the family’s demand for a murder investigation, have sought an inquest into the case. The request had been granted by the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The family, however said they will boycott the inquest.

Tomorrow, several activists along with Sugumar's family are expected to hold a protest at the Health Ministry's office.

Meanwhile, Surendran when contacted said that the authorities were attempting to delay justice.

“This is nothing but a delaying tactic by the minister, it is absurd for him to say that the IGP has to consent, when in fact the police has said that they have no objections earlier,” he said.

“The minister actually has the full power to immediately give the greenlight to Dr Pornthip. But instead, he is giving a very vague agreement.”

Surendran said that Kajang district police chief Asst Comm Ab Rashid Ab Wahab had issued a letter stating it was not necessary for the police to give permission.

“They are passing the buck and being dishonest. This is to give the perception to the public that they have no objections, while keeping all legal obstacles in place.

“Meanwhile the family is suffering in agony because they can’t complete the last rites,” he added.