THE Home Ministry is not ruling out the possibility of an inquest to look into the death of 14 Orang Asli in Kuala Koh, said its deputy minister, Azis Jamman.

He was responding to Cameron Highland BN MP Ramli Mohd Nor’s suggestion that an inquest be convened to confirm the cause of death of the Bateq tribesmen in May and June.

“(Fireman) Adib was one casualty but there was an inquest,” Ramli said. 

“But this is 14 people. Will it be an open or a closed inquest?”

Ramli, who is an Orang Asli, said the inquest is necessary to confirm if the tribesmen were suffering from malnourishment, weak immunity or infected with measles, as per the information furnished by the Health Ministry.

“With an inquest we can confirm if the Health Ministry has given the right information. 

“Let the coroner determine. I suggest an inquest to be heard so that Malaysians will know the cause of death.”

Responding to the query, Azis said the ministry is waiting for the post-mortem reports from the Pathology Department to determine the next course of action.

“We won’t rule out the possibility of having an inquest if there is a need for it. We will take the suggestions into consideration,” said the Sepanggar MP.  

He said on May 29 and June 7, the Paloh 2  police station in Gua Musang opened two investigation papers on the sudden death of the tribesmen. Following that, 12 more investigations papers were filed.  

Azis said initial investigations found no criminal element in the deaths but authorities are waiting for toxicology and forensic reports from the hospital  before making a definite finding.

“If the reports confirm a criminal angle to the deaths, police will act on the case.”

Azis said the area is still a red zone and 156 police personnel and 39 officers from various agencies are enforcing it under Ops Bateq. – July 3, 2019.