JOHOR BARU: The death of tahfiz school pupil Mohamad Thaqif Amin Mohd Gaddafi on April 26 was not due to trauma or injury he sustained from a beating at the hands of an assistant warden.
Instead, the boy died of leptospirosis, complicated by skin necrosis and a micro blood congealing condition, known as mircothrombi, which affected his blood vessels.
These were the findings of a post-mortem examination and subsequent investigation conducted by the Health Ministry’s special investigation committee.
In a statement today, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the conditions led to a change of skin colour and subsequent organ failure.
"Results of the post mortem carried out showed that the tahfiz pupil died due to illness, and not trauma or injury as what was claimed in viral posts,” said Dr Noor Hisham.
He said post mortem examination was conducted at 6pm the day Thaqif died. Several tissue and blood samples were taken and sent to the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and to the Chemistry Department for analysis.
“Following the incident, a Special Investigation Committee was set up to probe the case. The committee comprised forensic consultant specialists who are vastly skilled and experienced in handling complicated cases," read the statement.
He said the post mortem report was given to the police for further action.
Thaqif, 11, was reportedly beaten with a rubber hose by his school’s assistant warden for making noise at a surau. He was warded after experiencing excruciating pain in his legs on April 17.
His legs were subsequently amputated on April 21, after which he slipped into a coma. Thaqif died at the Sultan Ismail Hospital on April 26.
Pictures of the boy’s blackened legs made its rounds on social media, with many blaming the assistant warden for the boy’s condition.
Police had investigated the case for murder. The assistant warden, 29, was arrested but later released on court bond due to lack of evidence.