PETALING JAYA: The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), Bukit Aman, has identified pneumonia as the underlying cause of death for a detainee in an Alor Setar lock-up, according to a statement by the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) director, Comm Datuk Azri Ahmad.

The deceased detainee underwent a post-mortem examination at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, Kedah on December 17, as confirmed by Comm Datuk Azri Ahmad. The examination revealed no evidence of injuries resulting from foul play.

Comm Datuk Azri Ahmad stated, “The cause of death has been definitively confirmed as pneumonia. Consequently, this particular death in custody has now been classified as a ‘sudden death‘”.

Furthermore, Comm Datuk Azri Ahmad mentioned that the criminal investigation unit on deaths in custody (USJKT) will continue their investigations. Following completion, they will present their findings to the coroner for further analysis.

The unfortunate incident occurred on December 12 when a 34-year-old woman, who had been arrested under the Drugs Act, was remanded at the Kuah police station. Three days later, on December 15, she reported feeling unwell and was subsequently taken to Hospital Sultanah Maliha in Langkawi. Sadly, she was pronounced dead by medical professionals at 7.30am the following day.