R. SIVAKUMAR, the father of a student who died on a Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) campus, is considering suing the institution for not being forthcoming about the death.

Vinosiny Sivakumar, 20, was found dead in her room at the UUM Sintok campus in Kedah last Saturday. Her death made the news today.

Kedah police said a possible cause of death is electrocution, but added that the actual cause of death will be determined in the autopsy report.

Sivakumar, 53, said his daughter was a fourth-semester Bachelor of Accounting (Information Systems) student and returned to campus just a week before the incident.

“I sent her there a week ago, and I am collecting her in a box a week later,” the emotional father told The Malaysian Insight.

“I will take legal action if there is a need for it. I do not want this to happen to other students. But I will first wait for the official post-mortem report.”

He said the coroner told him that the cause of death is electrocution, which paints a different picture than what the university told him.

“They (the university) did not tell me the truth. They said my daughter collapsed and they did not know why.

“They only told me that she was dead when I asked whether she was still alive.

“They also told me that she died of a seizure, but when I asked the doctor whether there was any damage to the brain, he said there was none.”

Vinosiny’s body had obvious burn marks on the face and right hand, and discolouration on two fingers.

Sivakumar said he saw as such when shown the remains at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Star.

“If she did not have any mark, why did they cover both her arms when they took her body away?”

The small-business owner also clarified that he buried his daughter instead of cremating her, which is common in Hindu final rites.

“I did not cremate her, I buried her. They are messing with the wrong person.

“If there is a need, I will exhume her body for another round of forensics checks. I will not let this matter go.”

Sivakumar said he is angry and disappointed with the authorities and university about what is being reported in the news about his daughter’s death.

“The university has yet to explain. They seem interested in spreading fake news about her death, as if some hanky-panky is going on.

“I want to know what happened to my daughter.”

Vinosiny, who was wearing glasses, was found on the floor. Her laptop was still open on her desk and she was wearing wireless headphones. A half-eaten slice of cake was also on her desk.

Sivakumar said his family have not been given access to his daughter’s belongings or room on campus.

Only her roommate, who was at her hometown when the incident occurred, was allowed to collect the belongings.

“She was supposed to have a meeting with her course mates that day, but told them to go eat first,” said Sivakumar.

He said he will be giving his statement at the Bukit Kayu Hitam police station next week.

“We are still doing her final rites. After tomorrow, I will have more time to think about my next course of action.

“I will go and give my statement, and bring my lawyers with me.

“I also need to lodge a report against those responsible for my daughter’s death.”

He said MIC members approached him to offer help, but he told them to do so only if they are sincere and not for publicity purposes.

Kubang Pasu police chief Rodzi Abu Hassan said police are still awaiting the post-mortem report.

The case is classified as sudden death and initial investigation shows that she died of a seizure, he added.

The Malaysian Insight contacted UUM, but was unable to reach anyone. – May 24, 2022.