Selangor police deny second post-mortem for Kugan

By Neville Spykerman, The Malaysian Insider

Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said today the family of Kugan Ananthan will need to go to court to obtain authorisation for a second post-mortem of the deceased.

The family of the 22-year-old suspected car thief, who died Tuesday after five days in custody at the USJ 8 police lockup, are disputing the initial post-mortem results, which merely indicated there was water in his lungs.

Khalid denied that police had anything to hide and argued there was no provision in the law for them to order the second post-mortem.

“Even if we allow the second post mortem, what if they (family) are still not satisfied, there will be no end to the matter.”

However he said the case was a matter of public interest and gave assurances there would be no cover-up.

Investigations are being conducted by the Federal Criminal Investigation Department in Bukit Aman and statements were being obtained from 11 policemen aged between 25 and 35.

Khalid said the policemen were rank and file personnel with the ranks of constables and lance-corporals and added that none had been arrested.

He said he expected investigations to be completed by next week.

The body of the 22-year-old suspected car thief is now currently at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) mortuary.

Kapar MP S.Manikavasagam, who is assisting the Kugan’s family, said a doctor was ready to do the post-mortem but needed authorisation from police.

He said the distraught family cannot understand why police were withholding permission.

“Yes, we can apply to the courts, but how long will that take?”