Suaram lauds Saifuddin for footing funeral bill of 'wrong dead son' family

 

Human rights group Suaram has applauded Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for taking responsibility for the wrongful communication of the supposed death of a detainee.

“The initiative to personally reimburse the funeral expenses borne by the family within 48 hours is a gesture of concern that must be recognised.

“The minister’s acknowledgement that there were elements of negligence involved and notification that a committee will be set up to investigate further also demonstrate the Home Ministry’s commitment towards accountable governance,” said Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy in a statement.

He said that in order to ensure that this commitment comes full circle, it is crucial that the Home Ministry provides regular and transparent updates on the committee’s findings.

“Specifically, any gaps found in the prison’s identification process and its implementation, as well as corresponding recommendations.

“Any recommendations by the committee should be swiftly followed by responsive action by the relevant stakeholders like the Home Ministry and Prisons Department to ensure that such an egregious oversight does not happen again,” he added.

On March 2, a family in Negeri Sembilan was informed by the Sungai Buloh Prison that their 19-year-old son had died.

After several days of mourning and a few hours before they were to cremate the body they were given, the grieving family was shockingly told that their son was alive in his cell.

The father was quoted as saying that he had noticed the body did not resemble his son after post-mortem because “there were suture marks, besides the hair had also been shaved”.

‘Unfair for family’

After this, Saifuddin said he will personally reimburse the cremation expenses to the family.

M Kulasegaran earlier said the family had spent between RM20,000 to RM30,000 preparing for the cremation.

“On the family’s expenses, I myself will pay the compensation, there is no issue. Please inform them directly, we can deliver (the reimbursement) tomorrow because they have already made preparations.

“It is unfair to them because it was not their son who passed away. Maybe they are from a poor family,” said Saifuddin.

Suaram also called on the Attorney-General’s Chambers to direct the magistrate/coroner to hold an inquiry or inquest into the cause of death of the detainee as mandated in Sections 334 and 339 of the Criminal Procedure Code without undue delay.

“The inquiry should be carried out transparently and impartially. 

“The inquiry can insightfully inform not only the government’s understanding of underlying factors that perpetuate deaths in custody but also the policies and interventions that should be developed or improved on,” said Sevan.

He added that this can also build public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system, as the inquiry sends a message that the government is committed to protecting the rights and ensuring justice for all, including the most marginalised groups such as victims of deaths in custody.

“Suaram will continue to closely monitor developments of this case and we stand ready to provide our full and unequivocal support to the families of both detainees whenever needed,” he added. - Mkini