Suhakam commissioner Lok Yim Pheng said the commission would start the investigation soon after gathering all information and documents on the case.

“After talking with the family, we realise that it is a case that concerns human rights, we will definitely investigate the issue.

“If there is an infringement of human rights, then I think the authorities should account for the matter. The rights of every individual should be protected.

“The family wants an answer,” she said today after meeting with Soosaimanicckam’s family members and several lawyers from Lawyers For Liberty (LFL).

Lok said this was the first case Suhakam had received concerning a navy cadet’s death while in training, adding that she was disturbed as to how a healthy guy like Soosaimanicckam could have died.

“Nobody is able to speak for the person, even the family, so Suhakam will be taking this case seriously.”

Soosaimanicckam, 27, died on May 19 while undergoing training at KD Sultan Idris, which is the RMN’s academy at its base in Lumut.

Initial police investigations ruled out foul play as a post-mortem examination found he died of pulmonary oedema, a condition where there is water or liquid in the lungs.

Soosaimanicckam’s brother Charles Joseph, 32, who was present at the press conference with his father Joseph Sinappan, said the family had yet to receive the complete post-mortem report from the health ministry.

He said that his family was only given the basic report so far which did not have any specific details.

“They said the complete report is still being prepared. It has been five months since my brother died.”

Charles said the family had lodged a police report but the police had asked them to wait for the complete post-mortem report from the hospital.

“It is very hard to get the full report. I just want to know what happened to my brother.

“My brother was a very bright boy who was eager to join the navy,” Charles said.

LFL coordinator Zaid Malek, who represented the family, said that it was highly suspicious that the authorities were not forthcoming and transparent about the case.

He said the family was also unaware if there was an internal investigation and what was the outcome.

“As far as I am concerned, it is a very serious issue that involved multiple government bodies,” he said.

Zaid said the hospital should have been transparent and provided the family with the full post-mortem report.

He added that it was unfair for the family not to know what happened to Soosaimanicckam.