JUSTICE FOR NORHASHIMAH WAHID

Khoo Ying Hooi

There have been much casualties involved in the governments

National Service Programme and now, the first incident involving a
life of a young Training and Diplomatic Officer (PTD), Norhashimah
Wahid.

Sheema as fondly called by her friends, leaves behind a two-year-old

daughter Nur Hylda Daenia and husband Ahmad Zulkhairi Zainal
Abidin.

Sheema, who had worked with the Ministry of Finance for two years
passed away at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospitals intensive care
unit on 31 May, after 5 days of struggle. She lost consciousness after
attending a commando-style training programme at the in Jugra,
Banting. It was reported that she died of severe pneumonia and
multiple organ failures.

The deceased family has expressed their unsatisfaction of the non-

action by the authority in the incident. What was most disappointing
was that they were not even informed that she was admitted to
hospital until the hospital contacted them on her severe condition, as
they could have taken her to a hospital much earlier.

Sheema had complained of breathing difficulty during training at the

Selangor Enforcement Training Centre (PULAPES) in Jugra, Banting.
Despite of her condition, she was forced to continue the rest of the
programme modules. Several instructors only took her to the hospital
when her condition deteriorated. According to some friends whom also
joined Sheema in the training, one of the activities also include
drinking the water from the stocking and in the mud.

So far, the deceased family has lodged a police report over the
incident.

The Blaming Game Begins

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) was the first to deny any
involvements with the incident. In a press statement, the corporate
communications department of the Ministry of Defence clarified that all

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the programme modules were organised by the INTAN and conducted
by the PULAPES.

The Public Service Department (PSD) said it is carrying out further

investigations into the death of Sheema. The 2-page statement issued
only on 1 June provided a lengthy explanation on the justification of the
need for such modules.

It is compulsory for the trainees to undergo two components of

modules - 17 weeks of core knowledge training and 13 weeks of self-
building, which includes exposure to police, fire and army department
services, self-enhancement and community and social responsibility.

The statement also highlighted that the self-building modules are not
the same or as heavy as the training for those with uniformed bodies
and that it is also modified for trainees with health problems.

At the time of writing, the INTAN has remained silent.

Concerns Raised

A number of parties including the politicians have also raised grave

concern over this unfortunate incident, which could have been avoided
if there were much attention being given. They were all of the opinion
that there is a need to review the course programme, whether there
was such need for a physical training which might not suit all the PTDs.

Datuk Muhd Khairun Aseh, UMNO Youth Community Complaints Bureau

Chairman said such robust physical training is not necessary to
produce efficient and effective PTDs.

Dr. Lo Lo Mohd Ghazali, Titiwangsa Member of Parliament questioned

the standard procedures of the INTAN in carrying out such training.
She pointed that there is a need for a full executive screening to the
trainees before the involvement.

Azmin Ali, the Gombak Member of Parliament suggested an

Independent Investigation Committee to probe the death of Sheema.

Omar Osman, the President of the Congress of Unions of Employees in

the Public and Civil Servant (CUEPACS) suggested a thorough medical
screening on trainees should be done as some may be unaware of any
illness while others do not want to admit for fear of losing a place in
the training syllabus.

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A Wake-up Call

For this reason, the death of Sheema should serve as a wake-up call.
The modules introduced will not guarantee the country to have
efficient and capable PTDs who had team spirit, were loyal to the
country and understood the nations development policies as claimed
by the PSD.

It is a matter of concern for all of us because it negatively affects

confidence in the delivery of the government programme for trainees
whether it is the PTDs or the National Service or any other programme
that they might come up with in the future. Every time, the
government promised to make changes whenever casualties happen,
but to everyones disappointment, the plan often did not go that well
as they planned.

This incident has shown an obvious negligence and the inhumane

treatment from the authority. This is the time for the authority to take
their job seriously when it comes to the safety. The authority
responsible owes the deceased family the best possible explanation of
why death occurred and a comprehensive account of the steps to be
taken. The public also deserved the right to have access in such
information.

So is this the first death involving the PTD or were there previous
deaths as well? Lets hope the investigation will be done thoroughly.
Though this will not cover the huge lost suffered by the deceased
family, but it will at least prevent such incidents to re-occur just like
what happen to the National Service Programme.

Hope the justice will be served and my condolence to the deceased

family.

END.
2 June 2010