The High Court today rejected an application by taxi driver Baharuddin Ahmad’s widow to review the Coroner’s Court decision to decline her request to obtain copies of the inquest’s testimony transcripts.     

NONE Judge Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah ( left ) concluded that Coroner Zulkpli Abdullah, who is presiding over the inquest into Baharudin’s death during the July 9 illegal assembly, had not erred in his rejection of the application.  

The judge reached his decision after hearing submissions from DPP Ahmad Ishrakh Saad and Ahmad Jufliz Faiza, appearing for Baharudin’s widow, Rosni Malan.  

In her application, Rosni named the coroner and the DPP as first and second respondents, respectively and requested for the transcripts of the witnesses’ testimonies and relevant documents in the custody of the hospital to be handed over to her or her lawyer.    

Coroner Zulkpli had declined Rosni’s application for the transcripts from the prosecution, on March 26.

In his supporting affidavit, Ahmad Jufliz claimed that the transcripts were important to verify the accuracy and consistency of the testimonies in the interests of all parties.   

He had further requested for a copy of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital death register for July 9 and 10, following their refusal to provide him with one without a court order to the effect.    

The inquest was then rementioned before Coroner Zulkpli, who then granted an order to obtain a copy of the relevant death register.

In doing so, the coroner said he had to consider allegations that Baharudin’s heart was switched during the post mortem.      

“I have no reason to refuse the register’s presentation in court,” he said.

The inquest resumes on April 18.  

- Bernama