The department said the detainee died on Dec 12 while receiving treatment at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II for internal bleeding in the head.

It said he was under remand in relation to a theft and narcotics probe, and that he did not have any health issues at the time.

It said a coroner confirmed his cause of death while his family was satisfied with the findings and the department’s statement concerning the matter. The deceased’s body was then handed over for burial.

However, the family filed a police report on Dec 16, questioning the circumstances leading to the prisoner’s death.

“The department will cooperate with the police in any investigation. We urge the public against disseminating unverified information about the incident,” it said.