Family of dead NS trainee files RM10 mil suit Sep 14, 07 6:43am The family of a trainee who died while undertaking national service is demanding RM10 million from the government for negligence.
The family of 18-year-old Mohamad Rafi Ameer, who died two weeks ago, named the government and the commander of the training camp in Kemaman in Terengganu as defendants in a law suit. Mohamad Rafi died after eating food contaminated with animal droppings, his sister Jubaidah Ameer alleged. In the claim filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Jubaidah said her brother reported to the camp in June and called home on August 24 complaining of fever. "He said he had not been sent for treatment and was only given pain killers by the staff at the camp," Jubaidah said in the claim statement, according to the Star newspaper. 14th trainee to die Jubaidah said her calls to the camp to ensure her brother received medical treatment were ignored despite his deteriorating condition. He was only sent to Kemaman hospital on Aug 31, she added. He died the next day while being transferred to a hospital in neighbouring Pahang. Mohamad Rafi was the 14th trainee to die while undergoing national service, which began three years ago and has proved controversial. The three-month programme for 18-year-olds was introduced to boost patriotism and racial integration among the country's multi-ethnic population. - AFP
