AG wants inquest into July 9 Bersih rally death
An inquest is to be conducted by a magistrate in Kuala Lumpur to identify the cause of death of 59-year-old taxi driver Baharudin Ahmad during the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9.
An inquest is to be conducted by a magistrate in Kuala Lumpur to identify the cause of death of 59-year-old taxi driver Baharudin Ahmad during the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9.
Malaysiakini learnt that the Attorney-General's Chambers has submitted the necessary papers for the inquest to be called.
"The police have submitted papers from the chambers seeking the inquest. We are awaiting for the coroner in the inquest to be decided on and the dates of hearing," a source said.
It is understood that the application for the inquest was filed under Section 399 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
When contacted, AG's Chambers head of criminal division Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah confirmed that there will be an inquest.
Baharudin died in what police classified as heart attack at Avenue K, near the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. He was among the thousands who participated in the July 9 rally calling for clean and fair elections.
Then KL acting police chief Amar Singh had said Baharudin was having breathing difficulties and was taken by ambulance to Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Amar Singh said he learnt that Baharudin suffered three artery blockages, resulting in the heart attack.
Family suspects foul play
Meanwhile, Baharudin's family members have disputed the police claim and say they suspect foul play.
His widow Rosni Malan submitted a motion in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to direct a magistrate to hold an inquest, and named the Kuala Lumpur chief police officer, the inspector-general of police, the Kuala Lumpur magistrate and the public prosecutor as respondents.
However, the KL High Court's Justice Su Geok Yiam allowed a preliminary objection from the AG's Chambers and struck out the motion.
Justice Su ruled the application to be premature, frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the court process.
"This is because there is nothing before the magistrate's court to decide in calling for an inquest. Following this, the High Court allows a preliminary objection by the DPP representing the respondents in the case," she said.
The family's lawyer, Ahmad Jufliz Faizal told reporters then that the family suspected something was not right in the cause of death Baharudin as he had also suffered three fractures to his ribs and his teeth were also broken
Baharudin, Ahmad Jufliz said, suffered no such injuries before taking part in the rally.
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