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Malaysian family shocked to find out that body to be cremated is not their son

Body is actually son's prison cellmate, as family seeks answers on why there is such as serious identity mix-up

The Malaysian family was shocked to learn that their son was still alive in prison.
The Malaysian family was shocked to learn that their son was still alive in prison. (PHOTO: GETTY)

MALAYSIA — A Malaysian family was shocked to find out that their son was still alive, just as they were about to cremate the body which they thought was their son.

New Straits Times reported that the body was the son's prison cellmate, and he was still alive in prison.

The family's patriarch, who is known as Chantren, had received a phone call from Sungai Buloh Prison last Friday (3 March) informing him that his 19-year-old son had died.

The 45-year-old said his son, who was living in Selayang, was arrested on 28 February and was being remanded at the Sungai Buloh Prison. He did not specify the reason behind his arrest.

Supposed body did not resemble their son

The family from Taman Desa Permai were confused upon seeing the body in the Sungai Buloh Hospital on Saturday, as it didn't match their son's appearance.

Nonetheless, the family decided to claim the body anyway. They took the remains home on Saturday night, and prepared to have the body cremated the next morning at 10am.

On Sunday, they found out from the Malaysian prison authorities that the body about to be cremated was actually their son's prison cellmate.

"They told us that we had the wrong body. The body was instead of his cellmate, who had died of lung failure..They said our son was still alive, and immediately asked us to do a video call," he said.

The family lodges police report to get clarity on the matter

According to New Straits Times, the news stunned and confused the family. The father also said they had forked out around RM20,000 to rent a tent, cater food, and pay the cremation costs.

"How did such a mix-up happen?" Chantren questioned.

A police report has been filed on the matter, as Parameiswary, the mother of the family, said they want an explanation from the authorities.

"We don't want just a verbal statement; we want this in writing. We also want to see our son to confirm that he is still alive...This is not a small matter, it's literally a matter of life and death," she said.

His father stated that the prison authority had since arrived at his house to collect the body of his cellmate, and he had also requested to meet with his son in-person.

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