A former Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) cadet officer testified in the Sessions Court today that the late J. Soosaimanicckam faced targeted mistreatment by officers during his training at the KD Sultan Idris Navy Base in Lumut. Abdul Muiz Ramli, 31, who now works as a quality engineer, recounted that Soosaimanicckam struggled with the exercises and was frequently singled out by the trainers.
“I believe the officers targeted the deceased. I overheard them giggling while observing Soosaimanicckam during training,” Abdul Muiz said, adding that Soosaimanicckam was often isolated and made to perform exercises like push-ups and star jumps under the supervision of several second lieutenants. He shared these details while reading his witness statement in the case filed by S. Joseph against 11 individuals, including RMN officers, the RMN commander, the Malaysian Armed Forces Council, the Defence Minister, and the Malaysian government as the first to fifteenth defendants.
During cross-examination by federal counsel Abdul Hakim Abdul Karim, Abdul Muiz clarified that his claim about Soosaimanicckam being targeted was based on his observations rather than direct evidence. He noted that while other trainees were monitored by a single officer, Soosaimanicckam was often surrounded by three to four officers. Abdul Muiz and Soosaimanicckam had trained together, having been assigned to the same section since their registration on May 12, 2018.
The lawsuit, filed on May 19, 2021, by the victim’s family, alleges negligence on the part of the defendants for failing to provide timely emergency treatment when Soosaimanicckam collapsed and for inadequate monitoring of his well-being and health during training sessions. The plaintiff is seeking general, aggravated, and exemplary damages, along with any other relief the court deems appropriate.
Soosaimanicckam, a graduate cadet officer, was pronounced dead at the Armed Forces Hospital in Lumut on May 19, 2018. Last year, the Ipoh Coroner’s Court delivered an open verdict in the inquest into his death, with Coroner Ainul Shahrin Mohamad determining that the cause of death was pulmonary edema, which occurred during cadet training at KD Sultan Idris.
The trial, presided over by Judge Idah Ismail, is set to continue on June 26.
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