Committee set up to probe UTM student's death, says minister
PETALING JAYA : A special committee has been formed to investigate the death of a Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) student who died during a reserve officers' training unit exercise in Ulu Tiram, Johor, recently.
Defence minister Khaled Nordin said the committee, comprising the defence, home, and higher education ministries, has begun its investigation, Berita Harian reported.
'I was informed that the post-mortem has been conducted, but we have yet to receive the report,' he was quoted as saying after officiating the Pasir Gudang Umno delegates' conference today.
Police are investigating the death of Syamsul Haris Shamsudin, 22, following a report lodged on July 28.
Kota Tinggi police chief Yusof Othman said no criminal elements or external injuries were initially found on the cadet's body, but laboratory results were still pending to confirm the cause of death.
The cadet's mother, Ummu Haiman Bee Daulatgun, lodged a report at the Kajang police headquarters yesterday, alleging possible foul play after noticing injuries on her son's body.
She said she observed severe bruising, bleeding from the nose and eyes, and wounds resembling gunshot injuries, according to Malaysiakini.
She added that the injuries appeared inconsistent with the explanations provided to her.
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