According to the family, Kim Shih Keat, 36, was detained at Kluang Prison since June 22 after he was arrested for driving under the influence.

His brother, Shih Hoe, said the family was only informed of his death by a funeral home.

“Until now, Kluang police have not contacted us to confirm the actual cause of death and whether the case is being classified as sudden death or foul play,” Shih Hoe said at a press conference in Kluang.

Also at the press conference were his sister Michelle, former Skudai assemblyman Dr Boo Cheng Hau and DAP branch leaders Lee Chee Hiang and Kelvin Chong.

“My brother was in good physical health before he was sent to prison. He did not have any illness,” Shih Hoe said, adding that they had lodged a police report.

He said the Kluang Prison authorities informed the family that there was no CCTV footage of Shih Keat during the period.

Michelle alleged that there were bruises all over her brother’s hands, chest, elbow and abdomen.

The family wants the police, the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) and Suhakam to conduct a joint investigation and also an inquest into the death under Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Eighteen custodial deaths have been reported from Jan to June 30.

The latest case involved a 42-year-old man who was detained at Nibong Tebal police station for drug-related offences on June 22. Kluang deputy police chief Abdul Razak Abdullah said they were investigating the matter.

“Currently, the case is classified as sudden death, pending further investigation and a post-mortem investigation report,” he said.