MALACCA, MALAYSIA - Several parties are helping 17-year-old Jane Lim in her bid to be exempted from national service (NS) following the recent death of her brother soon after attending the three-month training.

Malacca National Service Supervisory Panel head Wong Nai Chee said that although exemption was given for valid health reasons or physical impairment, Jane's case should be considered on the basis of her suffering real psychological trauma.

Several NS officials, including those from the Lagenda Gunung Ledang Asahan camp here, visited Jane's family on Wednesday to assist in her appeal for exemption.

Wong, the former Kota Melaka MP, said this was a positive move because the officials had taken note of her case.

He said that he fully supported her appeal and would follow up with the case.

Jane's plight was highlighted in the media by her parents Lim Geok Kim and Meng Yeok who were concerned about her safety following the death of their 20-year-old son, Ricky.

Ricky died at home on Sept 15, nine days after completing his training at the Lagenda Gunung Ledang Asahan camp.

An initial post-mortem could not identify the cause of death and health authorities are carrying out further tissue analysis which is expected to take between two and three months.

Although the couple is not blaming the authorities for Ricky's death, they said they could not risk losing Jane, their only remaining child.

NS Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil had said that Ricky's death was not a valid reason for Jane to seek exemption.

Lim confirmed that eight officials visited him at his home in Tanjung Kling to get his daughter's particulars.

'I'm glad and am so relieved that the authorities have taken note of my daughter's plight and are willing to consider her appeal.

'I really hope they allow her to be with us considering our family's recent loss,' he said.