Faizal Abdullah’s family was initially told he had died at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital but later received information that he had died en route to the hospital.PETALING JAYA: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called for an inquest into the death of Faizal Abdullah, 28, a remand prisoner who died two weeks after he was sent back to Seremban Prison from the hospital. Suhakam said an inquest is necessary to establish the cause of death in a comprehensive, independent and transparent manner. It said this is especially important in cases involving death in custody or other places of detention, where questions may arise over how a detainee was treated, cared for and supervised.
“An inquest serves to determine the cause and circumstances of death, and helps to ensure that questions over the treatment, care and supervision of detainees can be examined openly,” Suhakam said in a statement to FMT. The commission also said all records and materials linked to Faizal’s death must be preserved. These include medical records, prison records, movement logs, CCTV footage and other documents needed for any investigation or court proceedings.
Last month, Faizal’s sister, Rafeya, said the family still did not know what treatment her brother had received in prison, why he was sent back to prison on June 4, or where he died on June 20. It has been reported that Faizal fell seriously ill while waiting for the chemist’s report in a drug case. He had been charged on Feb 6 with three drug-related offences involving cannabis and methamphetamine.
As his health deteriorated while in custody, Faizal was admitted to Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital on April 11. Rafeya said that at one point, the family was told that he had injured his vertebrae and might need surgery urgently. However, they were later informed that surgery was not required.
She said Faizal was sent back to Seremban Prison even though he was still weak and needed help to move. When the family went to visit him on June 18, they were only shown a video of him on the grounds that he was too weak to leave his cell. When the family insisted on seeing him, he was brought out in a wheelchair.
Rafeya said her brother was very weak, crying and complaining of back pain. Two days later, she received a call from the prison informing her that Faizal had died after his oxygen level dropped. She said the family was initially told…
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