KUALA LUMPUR: It's time Malaysia had a coroner's court where the coroner supervises death investigations, said Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee.
He said Malaysia should establish a new one modelled on the Singapore and New Zealand systems.
At present, he said, the coroner only receives a report from the police once their investigations have been completed.
“The magistrate/coroner does not oversee or supervise the investigations because the death inquiry is a quasi-judicial proceeding,” said Lim in an interview.
On July 19, High Court judge Justice Kamardin Hashim had concluded his judicial review of the inquest into the death of R. Gunasegaran, 31, in police custody in 2009 by agreeing with the open verdict of the coroner.
Lim said a better model was one where the coroner administered the Coroners Act, including supervising investigations, ensuring all relevant evidence is gathered, presiding over inquiries and making findings.
The police would still carry out investigations but the coroner would issue instructions as to the conduct of the investigation, he added.
“One of the directions which the coroner may make is for the investigation to be carried out by a different police station team or that a special police team be set up to investigate deaths in custody,” said Lim, who added that de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had been keen on the idea when they met him on their proposal for a new coroner's court.
2013 Bar Council subscription Click the link above to download Circular 090/2013 pertaining to the 2013 Bar Council subscription, including the payment guide and a set of Frequently-Asked-Questions.
2013 Hotel Corporate Rates Attending seminars? Going for a holiday? Click on the link above to check out the list of hotel corporate rates for Members of the Bar, which is updated regularly.
Starting a new Practice If you are thinking of setting up your own law practice, click on the link above to view Bar Council's information and checklists to help you prepare for your new endeavour.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Strategic Litigation Camp (21 to 23 June 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Young Lawyers Committee and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, this event will be held at the Firefly Park Resort, Kuala Selangor, from 21 to 23 June 2013 (Friday to Sunday). Click on the link above for more details.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Luncheon: Feast with the Giants of the Bar (22 June 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Pupils Welfare Committee and Young Lawyers Committee, this event will be held at 12:00 noon, at The Smokehouse Restaurant, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, on 22 June 2013 (Saturday). Click on the link above for more details.
The Legacy Series | Gopal Sri Ram Lectures (June and July 2013) Organised by the Bar Council Professional Standards and Development Committee, these lectures by Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram will be held at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Bar Council, on 24 June 2013 (Monday), and 9, 16 and 23 July 2013 (Tuesdays). The lectures carry two CPD points each. Click on the link above for more details.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Seminar on the Torrens System and Equitable Principles (2 July 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this session by SY Kok will be held at 3:00 pm, at Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, Wisma Kraftangan, on 2 July 2013 (Tuesday). The seminar carries two CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
Seminar on Medical Disability and the Assessment of Damages (6 and 7 July 2013) Co-organised by Malaysian Occupational Therapy Association, Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society and Perdana University, in collaboration with Bar Council, this seminar will be held at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, on 6 and 7 July 2013 (Saturday and Sunday). The seminar carries 10 CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
News 
©The Star (Used by permission)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Circular No 140/2013: Invitation to Public Forum | Environmental Issues in Malaysia
