M`SIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY AND TWO OTHERS SUED FOR RM1 MILLION OVER TRAINEE`S DEATH

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- The father of an army personnel who died
while undergoing training has sued the Defence Ministry and two others for more
than RM1 million for negligence.

Lorry driver K. Kannan, 44, filed the writ of summons at the High Court
Registry in Jalan Duta Court Complex here today through his counsel, Karpal
Singh.

Kannan is seeking RM42,042 in special and general damages and RM1 million
in
aggravated and exemplary damages from the director of the Royal Malaysian Air
Force camp in Bukit Jugra, Selangor, the Defence Ministry and the Government of
Malaysia.

He and his wife, T.Rajeshweri, were present at the court complex
Friday.

Rajeshweri could not control her emotions and broke down in tears when she
told the media that she wanted to know the cause of death of her only son,
Yogeswaran, 21, who was found dead on last Aug 4 while undergoing basic commando
training at the Bukit Jugra camp in Banting.

In his statement of claim, Kannan held the defendants responsible for
Yogeswaran's death, claiming that his son was in their care and service at that
material time.


Kannan claimed that the defendants were negligent as they had failed to
ensure the safety of army personnel in the camp and to ensure that his son
received immediate and adequate medical attention.

He claimed that Yogeswaran's death had caused distress and trauma to him
and his family. The couple has three othe children, all daughters.

Kannan claimed that the cause of Yogeswaran's death was suspicious as there
were injuries on his body.

There were also contradictory versions of the cause of death -- that he
(Yogeswaran) was found dead in a seated position in the toilet, that he was
found dead under a tree within the camp area and that his death was allegedly
due to a fall while attempting to climb a fence -- he claimed.

The writ has yet to be served on the defendants.