The Police Watch and Human Rights Committee (Police Watch) said it would boycott all current and future inquest proceedings as it has lost confidence in the Attorney-General's (AG's) Chambers.

Legal advisor P Uthayakumar said the AG's Chambers have not been serious about initiating and attending such proceedings.

He said families whose members had been shot dead been police or who had died while in custody would also withdraw from on-going proceedings.

The decision comes on the heels of a walkout staged today by the relatives of V Vikines during an inquest in Seremban.

Backing the decision, Uthayakumar claimed that the AG's chambers often delays inquests, on some occasions for up to six years; that the sequence of events is not followed when calling witnesses; and that different standards are applied in prosecuting police personnel.

"Imagine if your maid loses 37kg in weight and dies in her room. Do you think the AG will not charge you? At least for gross negligence? In the case of custodial death, the AG applies a different set of rules because the victim dies in a lock-up," he said when contacted today.

As the AG's Chambers initiates and assists the coroner in conducting inquests, Uthayakumar argued that the courts are often unable to exercise their judicial function in determining 'when, where, how and in what manner (the death occurred) and whether any person is criminally concerned in the cause of the death', according to Section 335 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

"In almost all inquests, coroners end up delivering an ' open verdict' for these reasons and leave the family of the deceased in a quandary and with a feeling that justice has not been served. In short, these inquests are not getting anywhere and are not serving justice."

Eight lawyers attached to Police Watch have handled more than 10 cases of inquests related to custodial death and police shootings.

Family walks out

At the Seremban Magistrate's Court this morning, the parents of student V Vikines announced their withdrawal from the inquest into their son's death at the age of 19.

"As witnesses will not be called according to the sequence of events, the family would like to say they have no confidence in this inquest which is being handled by the AG's chambers," their counsel P Waythamoorthy said.

Magistrate Muhamad Faizal Ismail, who sat as coroner, pointed out that the role of the AG's Chambers is to assist in the inquest.

"It is true that the witnesses are drawn by the AG's Chambers, but I'm in control of the inquest," he said, adding that it would continue as it had been delayed long enough.

Waythamoorthy and about 20 of Vikines' relatives and friends then walked out of the courtroom.

Asked later if it is the coroner's prerogative to determine the sequence of testimony, Waythamoorthy said the rationale should have been explained.

"He should tell the public why he is listening to certain witnesses first. This is after all a public inquest. However, he himself does not know who the AG's Chambers will call next," said Waythamoorthy.

DPP Roshidah Abu Bakar had earlier called three expert witnesses. She also told the court that a photographer and two doctors would be testify tomorrow.

She added that the five-member police team involved in the shooting would also be asked to give evidence if time permits.

Waythamoorthy had applied to the High Court for a revision of the sequence, but it replied in a one-line letter that this was not necessary.

Vikines and two others were killed in a shoot-out with police personnel in Bandar Baru Nilai on Oct 10, 2003. Police claimed they were responsible for 20 armed robberies.

However, Vikines' family alleges foul play based on the physical injuries on his body, saying he appears to have been shot at close range while bare chested.