Lay Chan Wat, who had no known history of illness, was summoned to a meeting room at the ministry’s office in Persiaran Barat, Lebuh Saujana, Putrajaya on Feb 20 to be questioned over an anti-sexual harassment case.

According to his son, Lay Chee Hwee, ministry officials denied his sibling entry to the interrogation room despite them presenting an official letter from the ministry permitting their presence due to concerns over their father’s health.

Chee Hwee, who accompanied his father to the proceedings but waited outside, said he heard raised voices coming from the room, suggesting that pressure was being exerted on his father.

At around 3.15pm, a ministry staff member informed him that his father had suffered a seizure.

“When I entered the room, my father was unconscious and struggling to breathe.

“I cried for help and asked for CPR, but no one responded. My sibling simultaneously tried to call for an ambulance,” he said in a press conference today.

Chan Wat was eventually rushed to Putrajaya Hospital and taken to the emergency unit, where a medical officer pronounced him dead.

The family, represented by lawyer Ng Kian Nam, is demanding RM1,181,975.74 in compensation, citing gross negligence and a breach of duty of care by the ministry.

“The family is also seeking a written apology addressed to the family for what they describe as ‘negligent acts and/or conduct with mala fide’,” Ng said.

He added that they had a copy of the court recording transcript of the hearing as evidence to support their claim.

Ng said a letter of demand would be sent to the relevant authorities today under the instruction of Chan Wat’s three children.

He said if the ministry failed to comply with the demand within 14 days, they would initiate legal proceedings without further reference.

“All costs and expenses shall be fully borne by the offending party,” he said.