'Whose Body Is In Our Home Now?' A Father In Malaysia Surprised, Prison Authorities Say His 19 Years Old Son Still Alive

Illustration of prisoners. (Antara)

JAKARTA - A grieving father in Malaysia's Negeri Sembilan state is shocked to learn that his son, who prison authorities say died last week while being held at Sungai Buloh Prison, is still alive.

Local media reported that the father, who only wished to be identified as Chantren, said prison authorities informed him on Sunday, March 5 that they had mistakenly handed over another man's body.

According to the New Straits Times, the body of the man who died belonged to a family in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

His family was notified by the prison department just hours before burial after they realized the mistake and that their 19-year-old son was still alive.

Previously, Chantren said that he was asked to collect his son's body at Sungai Buloh Hospital in Selangor last Wednesday. The family had arranged a funeral ceremony at their family home in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan on Sunday.

"We received a call from the prison authorities about three or four hours before the burial time and they informed us that my son is still alive."

"They did a video call (to show). I don't even know how to express my feelings. Our son is alive, but whose body is in our house now?" said Mr. Chantren as quoted from The Star via channelnewsasia, Monday, March 6.

On Sunday, Mrs. Thilagam was informed by prison officials that her child was unwell and had been taken to Sungai Buloh Hospital. When she and her eldest son rushed to the hospital to check on his condition, they were instead directed to the morgue, where a prison official informed them that the son had actually died three days ago.

"We were also informed about the mixing of the bodies, and how the remains were mistakenly handed over to another family for cremation in Tampin," she said, as reported by the New Straits Times.

“Just last night my eldest son and I were allowed to see the body. It was also done in a hurry,” added Mrs. Thilagam.

The prisons department has not issued any statement on this matter. It was reported that several police reports have been filed for mistaken identity as well as negligence by the prison department.