Health Ministry denies hiding Kugan post mortem findings

The Health Ministry has never hid the facts and findings of a post-mortem conducted on A. Kugan, the detainee who died in custody.

Director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said the Ministry confirmed that the Serdang Hospital forensic pathologist had performed his duty ethically and professionally when conducting the post-mortem examination.

There was also no indication that the forensic pathologist was hiding any fact over the post-mortem, he said.

He added post-mortem report had been given to Kugan’s family.

“It is unfair for any party to make wild accusations in this case as the Serdang Hospital forensic pathologist had carried the responsibility professionally and ethically,” he said in a five-page press statement on Saturday.

He added an independent inquiry on the post-mortem reports conducted by Serdang Hospital and the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) would be carried in the interest of justice and fairplay.

The outcome of the investigation would be made public, he added.

Kugan, 22, was arrested on Jan 14 for suspected involvement in a car theft syndicate and was held at the USJ police station.

In follow-up action, police recovered 19 luxury cars. He died during interrogation on Jan 20.

Dr Ismail added while forensic pathologists may have a difference of opinion on the actual cause of death, what was important was that the findings during the post-mortem examination should be almost similar, as was evident in this case.

The ministry also refuted a statement by Kugan’s family, reported in Malaysiakini, that said that the first pathologist found 20 wound marks on the body while the second at UMMC found almost 40 more wounds, burn marks and scratches.

He said the post-mortem done by Serdang Hospital had found 83 wounds and injuries.

Dr Ismail added the number of wounds listed in the UMMC report was inaccurate because it included wounds caused due to the first post-mortem.

These were noted as “post-mortem surgical wounds with sutures.”

He also said the description for the injuries and wounds were more detailed in the Serdang Hospital’s report.

“The port-mortem outcome for the lungs by both forensic pathologists were the same, which was pulmonary hemorrhages, edema and congestion,” he added.

Dr Ismail said while the comprehensive report had been given to Kugan’s family and published by Malaysiakini, the detailed report with photographs of the post-mortem were kept by the hospital for court reference.

On the different causes of death, he said this needed to be referred to independent forensic experts.

Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, MIC Youth coordinator T. Mohan urged the relevant authorities including the Attorney-General’s Chambers to investigate the Serdang Hospital directors allegations that a mob of 50 people had tampered with the body of detainee A. Kugan on Jan 20.

“We are amused by the latest claims by the hospital director Dr Mohd Norzi Ghazali after his first claims were crippled by the video proof. We want an investigation into it,” he said in a statement here on Saturday.

He said if the accusations were not proven, Dr Mohd Norzi should be suspended with immediate effect.

Mohan said the second post mortem report had listed the causes of death of Kugan as blunt trauma, kidney failure and not breathing difficulties as claimed by the Selangor Chief Police Officer Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar.

“We want Khalid and Dr Abdul Karim Tajudin of Serdang Hospital, who performed the first post-mortem on Kugan, to be investigated for false accusations and be suspended from their duty,” he said.

He said MIC Youth was also shocked that Dr Abdul Karim had failed to carry out the post mortem in a professional manner based on the findings of the second report.

“The Serdang Hospital should come forward and provide an explanation for the vast discrepancies between the two reports.

“We feel there was an ulterior motive in covering up for the police force and also the reluctance of the police in giving permission for the independent post mortem,” he said.

Mohan said many were shocked that the policemen responsible for causing Kugan’s death had been transferred to desk jobs without any action being taken against them.

“If the relevant authorities think they can take us on a wild goose chase, they are certainly wrong. We are monitoring each step taken by the police force and other relevant authorities. We want justice for Kugan,” he said. – The Star