RUU Koroner perlu rangkumi pasukan siasatan bebas, kata NGO

The Attorney General, Azalina Othman Said, has announced that the Coroners Act (RUU) will likely be introduced in the Dewan Rakyat next year. The proposal seeks to establish a free-standing investigative team to prevent conflicts of interest, particularly in cases of deaths in custody, according to NGO and law expert M Visvanathan.

Visvanathan emphasized that this step is crucial to ensure consistency. He noted that the police are subject to conflicts of interest when deaths occur within their jurisdiction. "All deaths in custody must be mandated for an inquest," he told FMT. Visvanathan also suggested that Chapter XXXII of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) on inquest proceedings should be fully replaced with the Coroners Act to strengthen its implementation.

He further urged the draft to be circulated for public consultation, alongside the need for improving the appointment and specialized training of coroners. Meanwhile, law professor Muzaffar Syah Mallow from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia stated that the special act proposal raises concerns about better controlling investigative processes that could prevent public controversy or negative perception.

Mallow stressed that coroners must be fully independent and comprised of professional members, which is vital for ensuring that autopsy procedures are conducted properly and without stirring public controversy or misconceptions. However, he cautioned the government against rushing and conducting a thorough study alongside forensic experts and referring to models from countries like Singapore and the UK to avoid any biases.

Earlier, Azalina said the government is reviewing the enactment of special legislation to establish a more free, clear, and officially recognized coroners system in the country. According to Azalina, the review will include categories of deaths that must be reported and strengthening the powers and independence of coroners. The review process that the RUU is expected to go through in Dewan Rakyat next year will also encompass harmonizing investigative procedures nationwide.