What’s the hold-up on Durian Tunggal shooting inquest, asks MP

MP Lim Lip Eng has raised concerns over the slow progress in the inquest into the fatal shooting of three men in Durian Tunggal, Melaka. On August 10, police announced they would file an application for an inquest, two weeks after the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) mandated one. However, two months have passed since the AGC's decision, and the inquest remains unstarted.

Lim urged the police to ensure the officers involved in the shooting stay in Malaysia during the proceedings, fearing they might flee to avoid appearing in court. He cited a recent case in Kuala Lumpur where six foreigners were charged in absentia for armed gang robbery. Lim urged authorities to prevent any implicated individuals from leaving the country, using legal measures like passport surrender orders or travel restrictions.

The incident occurred on November 24 when three men—M Puspanathan, 21, T Poovaneswaran, 24, and G Logeswaran, 29—were shot dead after allegedly attacking a police officer with a parang. Initially, the case was classified as attempted murder, but the AGC reclassified it as murder in December. Despite resubmitting the investigation papers multiple times, the police received further instructions from higher authorities, ultimately leading to the AGC's order for an inquest on July 20 to determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths, including the involvement of any criminal elements.