Three NS trainees detained over death of fellow trainee

MUADZAM SHAH, Malaysia - Police have detained three National Service (NS) trainees from the Pinggiran Pelangi National Service Camp here to shed information on the death of an 18-year-old trainee Muhammad Suhaimi Norhamidi on Sunday.

Police said the trio, all 18 years of age, were picked from the camp on Monday evening before they were brought to the Muadzam Shah police station to have their statements recorded.

It is learnt that Suhaimi from Kerdau, Temerloh was involved in a misunderstanding with a group of trainees which led to a fight.

A trainee spotted the victim lying unconscious on the bathroom floor and alerted the camp commandant at 12.04am.

The victim succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at Muadzam Shah Hospital here.

Rompin district police chief Deputy Superintendent Johari Jahaya said the three trainees have been remanded till Sept 30.

Post-mortem revealed that Suhaimi had a bruise behind the ear, believed to have been caused by a blunt object and police were investigating the case for murder.

State Criminal Investigation Department deputy chief superintendent Mohd Haris Daud said checks revealed that a group of male trainees had attacked Suhaimi after lunch on Sunday before they were dispersed by a trainer.

He said a second fight later ensued between Suhaimi and the same group of trainees about midnight before the victim was found unconscious on the hostel's bathroom floor.

Haris said the suspects, might have attacked Suhaimi with a blunt object which could have led to the injuries behind both his ears.

"Police have yet to recover any objects from the training camp and we are in the midst of gathering details from the three suspects," he said.

He said police were informed that Suhaimi had earlier jumped the queue during breakfast on Sunday and his action had angered a group of trainees who were waiting for their turns.