MR.SKANDA

On September 14, 2015, Mr. Skanda Navaratnam, a 38-year-old Malaysian national, was last seen leaving a bar in the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Chow Kit. Despite extensive search efforts, his body was never found. However, the police arrested a man named Suresh Kumar Subramaniam in October 2019, and charged him with Navaratnam's murder. The case, which has been ongoing for several years, has captivated the attention of the public as it is believed to be connected to the high-profile case of businessman and political figure, Datuk Seri Nazrin Hassan, who was murdered in June of that year.

Navaratnam's disappearance was initially treated as a missing person case, with friends and family launching a social media campaign to raise awareness about the case. They also offered a reward for any information that could lead to his whereabouts. However, as the weeks and months passed, it became increasingly clear that Navaratnam's disappearance was not a simple case of him going missing.

In 2019, the police announced that they had arrested a man in connection with Navaratnam's disappearance. The suspect, who was not named, was believed to have been involved in a "personal dispute" with Navaratnam. However, it was not until October of that year that they announced they had arrested Suresh Kumar Subramaniam and charged him with murder.

The police alleged that Subramaniam had lured Navaratnam to a secluded area and killed him before disposing of the body. They also stated that they had found evidence linking Subramaniam to the crime, including DNA evidence that matched samples taken from the crime scene.

The case against Subramaniam is still ongoing and it is yet to be determined if he is guilty of Mr. Skanda Navaratnam's murder. However, the arrest and charging of Subramaniam have given hope to Navaratnam's friends and family that they will finally get the closure they have been seeking for several years.

It is important to note that this case is not the only one of its kind in Malaysia. In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of missing persons and murders that have raised serious concerns about the safety of the LGBTQ( LGBT is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity )community in the country. Navaratnam's case, in particular, has shone a spotlight on the issue of violence against LGBTQ individuals in Malaysia.

The case of Mr. Skanda Navaratnam is a tragic reminder of the dangers that LGBTQ individuals face in Malaysia and other countries around the world. It is a reminder that we must continue to fight for their rights and safety and work towards a more inclusive and accepting society.

Furthermore, it is a reminder of the need for proper investigation, efficient arrest and fair trial of criminals. It is also a reminder that families and friends of the missing person never give up hope, and keep fighting for justice for their loved one.

In conclusion, the case of Mr. Skanda Navaratnam is a tragic and unfortunate event that has brought attention to the ongoing issues of violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ community in Malaysia. It is important that we continue to raise awareness and push for change in order to ensure the safety and rights of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The ongoing trial of Suresh Kumar Subramaniam is a step towards justice for Mr. Skanda Navaratnam and his loved ones, and a reminder that such crimes will not be tolerated.