Two sailors in good health before taken to detention unit - RMN

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) said the two sailors who died in the detention unit of the communications station in Sungai Wangi, Sitiawan, were in good health before being taken over there.

RMN chief Tan Sri Kamarulzaman Badaruddin said the navy followed the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) where every member taken to the detention unit should undergo a health examination.

"We can confirm that the two members were healthy before taken to the detention unit but cannot say more since it is still under investigation," he told reporters after presenting Pingat Jasa Malaysia to 51 veterans of Navy Special Forces (Paskal) in conjunction with Paskal's 35th anniversary celebration at RMN Paskal Base, here today.

He said the RMN board of inquiry which convened yesterday would not intervene in the ongoing investigation by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) .

"The board of inquiry will study whether the SOP is still relevant, comprehensive and applicable and will investigate whether the members on duty followed the SOP or not."

The RMN board of inquiry comprises five members led by a captain and all have expertise in occupational safety and health.

Kamarulzaman said the RMN views the case seriously and would not compromise or protect members who commit crime and would give full cooperation to PDRM to assist in the investigation.

"Justice must be served. I will ensure that the guilty members are prosecuted as the case affects the image, welfare and integrity of the navy."

He expressed sympathy to the families of both RMN members and pledged to care for their welfare.

Able Seaman Muhammad Baihaqy Nik Mat, 28, and Muhammad Lailatuliman Mohd Sukri, 26, ied in a room of the detention unit, believed due to torture.

This was revealed by the autopsy report filed by the Pathology Department of Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh.

The autopsy conducted on Muhammad Baihaqy and Muhammad Lailatuliman found that their death was due to bleeding of the lungs.

Three RMN members have been remanded for seven days to assist in the investigation.

--BERNAMA