Cause of death of detainee to be known by July 17

(Bernama) – The actual cause of death of police detainee Choong Soy Soy, 55, will be known by July 17 when the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh completes the post-mortem report, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk T. Murugiah said today.

Initial investigations showed there was no foul play, he told Bernama.

Murugiah was in Ipoh this morning and held a meeting with the police, hospital authorities and the complainant following a complaint lodged on Tuesday by former MCA assemblyman for Tronoh Datuk Lee Kon Yin to the Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) on the detainee's death.

Murugiah said Choong was detained on June 17 at the Bercham police station lock-up for suspected drug abuse.

On June 27 he underwent a neurosurgery operation at the hospital following a fall in the lock-up toilet and died on June 30.

Murugiah also met the family of the deceased and explained the situation.

"The family accepted my explanation and we would wait for the post-mortem report," he said.

In the meantime, Murugiah appealed to the public not to speculate the cause of Choong's death.

Lee, who is also head of the Perak Barisan Nasional complaints and service centre, said he was "happy with the speed with which the PCB responded to the complaint."