Family of wildlife ranger accidentally killed in operation awarded RM281,807.20 in damages

SEREMBAN - The Sessions Court here has ordered the government, the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and two others to pay a total of RM281,807.20 in damages to the family of a ranger who was accidentally shot dead by a colleague during an operation in the forest at Kampung Durian Daun, Rembau in 2018.

Judge Datin Surita Budin made the decision after allowing a lawsuit brought by deceased Cyril Quing's wife Winnona Simon and their two children Callista Wanda Cyril and Calliandra Wenzel Cyril which was filed in 2020.

Cyril's family had in the suit named operation head Mohamad Hakim Mohamed Khairuddin, 35, Perhilitan director, its director-general and the government as the first, second, third and fourth respondents respectively.

Lawyer Ahmad Nabilimran Ahmad Halimi who represented the family said the court ruled that the plaintiffs succeeded in proving their claim that the first respondent was responsible for causing the death of Cyril.

"This was because during the operation, the deceased was under the respondent's care and responsibility to ensure safety in any operations involving firearms.

"The court said the second, third and fourth respondents were responsible for the negligence of the first respondent," he told reporters, today.

He said the court had ordered the respondents to pay RM165,307.20 in dependency claim, RM10,000 in damages for bereavement, RM6,500 in funeral costs and RM100,000 in aggravated damages to the plaintiffs.

On Aug 29, 2018, it was reported that Cyril, 35, died during an operation which also involved 16 other rangers.

In the operation, the deceased was said to have suddenly ran out of the forest asking for help from his colleagues after being shot on the right shoulder.

His colleagues brought him to the Rembau Health Clinic for treatment before he was pronounced dead.