Durian Tunggal shooting inquest not deliberately delayed, says Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The inquest into the shooting in Durian Tunggal, Melaka, on Nov 24 last year, which claimed the lives of three men, was not deliberately delayed.

The scheduling of the proceedings is subject to the court's processes and case management.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC) decided on July 20, 2026, that an inquest should be held after reviewing the investigation papers and all evidence submitted by the police.

He said the decision followed a thorough investigation by the police into the incident. This included reviewing the evidence gathered and complying with further instructions and requirements set by the AGC.

He said police's Criminal Investigation Department at Bukit Aman had filed an application with the Melaka court on Aug 11 for a date to be set for the inquest.

The police are still waiting for the court to determine the date.

"In this regard, the scheduling of the proceedings is subject to the court's processes and case management.

"The government wishes to stress that the inquest proceedings have not been deliberately delayed.

"The decision to hold an inquest was made following a comprehensive investigation, including a review of the evidence gathered and compliance with further instructions and requirements from the A-GC," he said in a written reply published on the parliament website.

He was responding to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong), who asked the home minister when the inquest into the shooting in Durian Tunggal was expected to begin and the reasons for the delay.

Saifuddin said the Home Ministry guaranteed that the police would extend full cooperation to the court and A-GC in conducting the inquest.

He said the government respected the independence of the judicial process and would not pre-empt any court findings.

"The inquest is important to establish the cause and actual circumstances of the deaths through a transparent, fair and lawful process," he said.

The inquest will be conducted under Section 339(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 593).

In the incident, three men aged between 24 and 29 were shot dead after one of them allegedly swung a parang at a police corporal at an oil palm plantation in Durian Tunggal at 4am.

The incident left the police personnel, who was in his early 30s, with serious injuries to his left hand.