RMN chief Kamarulzaman Badaruddin said the navy followed the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) where every member taken to the detention unit would undergo a health examination.

“We can confirm that the two members were healthy before being taken to the detention unit, but cannot say more since the case is still under investigation,” he told reporters after presenting the Pingat Jasa Malaysia to 51 veterans of the Navy Special Forces (Paskal) in conjunction with Paskal’s 35th anniversary celebration at the RMN Paskal base here today.

He said the RMN board of inquiry, which convened yesterday, would not intervene in the ongoing investigation by the Royal Malaysian Police.

“The board of inquiry will study whether the SOP is still relevant, comprehensive and applicable, and will investigate whether the members on duty followed the SOP.”

The RMN board of inquiry comprises five members led by a captain and all have expertise in occupational safety and health.

Kamarulzaman said the RMN viewed the case seriously and would not compromise or protect members who committed a crime and would give full cooperation to PDRM to assist in the investigation.

“Justice must be served. I will ensure that the guilty members are prosecuted as the case affects the image, welfare and integrity of the navy.”

He expressed sympathy to the families of both RMN members and pledged to care for their welfare.

Able Seaman Muhammad Baihaqy Nik Mat, 28, and Muhammad Lailatuliman Mohd Sukri, 26, died in a room of the detention unit, believed due to torture.

This was revealed by the post-mortem report filed by the Pathology Department of Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh.

The post-mortem conducted on Baihaqy and Lailatuliman found that their death was due to bleeding of the lungs.

Three RMN members have been remanded for seven days to assist in the investigation.