Fear of Covid-19 no excuse for delaying post-mortem, says group

CORONAVIRUS | Concerns over Covid-19 should not be an excuse for delaying the post-mortem of a death-in-custody victim in Bentong, said the group Eliminating Death and Abuse in Custody Together (Edict).

In a statement today, Edict said the remains of a Covid-19 patient should be treated as just another person who had died of infectious disease, and no infection should be an excuse for not performing a post-mortem.

“All pathologists performing post-mortems begin with the assumption that a corpse is infected.

“Post-mortems have been performed on Covid-19 infected bodies around the world.

“There is no reason why Malaysia should choose not to do a post-mortem on a body known to be infected, especially in a custodial death case,” the group said.

Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that G Jestus Kevin, 30, had supposedly died of shortness of breath while detained at the Bentong police station lockup.

He was arrested on April 2 and was found dead on April 5 after allegedly experiencing breathing difficulties, and was found dead by the time an ambulance had arrived.

Shortness of breath is a symptom of various respiratory problems including Covid-19 infection. According to a joint report by the World Health Organisation and China, the symptom is reported in 18.6 percent of confirmed Covid-19 cases.

Bentong district police chief Yusof Unis told Malaysiakini that police are investigating the death, but the post-mortem would wait until health authorities conclude whether Jestus had died of Covid-19.

As a precaution, Yusof said police have isolated several other detainees who were in the same cell as Jestus.

Meanwhile, Edict reminded that Sections 330 and 331 of the Criminal Procedure Code requires the police to arrange a post-mortem as soon as practicable.

“Choosing not to do a post-mortem is a contravention of the law,” it said.

It also questioned whether the police are doing enough to protect the health of its officers, detainees, and staff.

It urged the Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin and Health Minister Dr Adham Baba to send a team of experts to the lockup to conduct an immediate investigation.

In the meantime, Edict said its lawyers will assist Jestus' family and the group will pay close attention to those who work in lockups.

“We must all remain alert to areas which may be overlooked during this pandemic and tirelessly look out for each other,” it said. - Mkini