[UPDATED] Kelantan custodial death due to fluid in lungs; probe continues

KUALA LUMPUR – Pneumonia is said to be the cause of death of the latest custodial death in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan, and the case is now categorised as sudden death, said police.

These findings were reported after a post-mortem on the detainee at the Raja Perempuan Zainab 2 Hospital in Kota Baru yesterday.

The post-mortem also did not find any signs of injuries or criminal elements, police said in a statement.

However, investigations into the death of the 37-year-old Malay man continue.

Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Unit on Deaths in Custody will continue the probe before submitting its findings to the deputy public prosecutor.

Yesterday, Bukit Aman confirmed that the victim died at the Pengkalan Chepa police station in Kota Baru, Kelantan.

The victim was a 37-year-old who was arrested under Section 12(2) and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

In a statement issued by Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department director Datuk Azri Ahmad, the detainee who died last Sunday at 4.35pm was under a four-day remand from yesterday to Wednesday.

Last week, police confirmed that a local man suffered from sudden death in custody at the Taiping police headquarters lock-up on January 13 morning.

Azri had said the 63-year-old inmate from Taiping Prison was being temporarily held at the lock-up for a court hearing. – The Vibes, January 18, 2022