PETALING JAYA: Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand is refusing to perform the second post-mortem on security guard C. Sugumar.

The family's lawyer N. Surendren said Dr Pornthip's decision was made known via e-mail but the Thai pathologist, who also testified in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, did not elaborate.

“Earlier, she informed us that she agreed to do the second autopsy and even gave us a date Feb 20. However, we received an e-mail stating that she is unable to do the autopsy for personal reasons,” he said.

It was reported that Sugumar died after allegedly being beaten by police and the public after he ran amok in Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat, on Jan 23.

The initial post-mortem showed that he died of a heart attack.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had requested that the forensic report on Sugumar's death be submitted to the Cabinet.

He directed Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai to do this after MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel raised the issue. Police will send their investigation papers on the death of Sugumar, 39, to the Public Prosecutor proposing an open court inquest.

Surendran said Sugumar's family had to look for other alternatives to look into his death.

“We are still discussing with the family on the next step after the e-mail from Dr Pornthip. We might have to find other alternatives.”

When asked if there were other pathologists to conduct the second autopsy, Surendren said: “I cannot reveal anything as we are still discussing (with the family),” he said.

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