A teenager was found dead at a rehabilitation centre in Pokok Sena, Kedah last weekend a day after he reportedly fought with other inmates over a piece of fried chicken.
Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported – translated by The Star Online – that the warden found the victim, 17-year-old Mohamad Shukri Kassim, dead in his cell after he failed to turn up for morning prayers the next day.
Kota Setar OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Rozi Jidin told the daily that the police were notified of the death at around 5.30am on Saturday, and the victim’s body was sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for a post-mortem.
According to ACP Mohd Rozi, initial investigations revealed that Mohamad Shukri, who was from Pulau Langkawi, had died at least three hours before his body was found by the warden.
Investigations also revealed that the victim had fought with a group of inmates over fried chicken the night before.
“Police had thought that it was a case of sudden death but post mortem results revealed injuries believed to be caused by punches,” ACP Mohd Rozi was quoted by the daily as saying.
He added that ten inmates, aged between 14 and 18, have been remanded to facilitate investigations.
According to the daily, Mohamad Shukri was under detention for a burglary case in Pulau Langkawi and was checked into the rehab center on November 11.
