THE family of Major Mohd Zahir Armaya plan to request an inquest into his death.

The 36-year-old was shot during a commando demonstration at Lok Kawi Camp in Sabah on September 4.

Zahir’s father, veteran actor A.R. Badul, said an inquest will allow the family to fully understand the events leading up to the tragedy.

He said they hope for a hearing similar to that conducted for fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, 24, who died on December 17 last year after sustaining serious injuries in riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Selangor the previous month.

“I am let down by the army’s statement. We (the family) were never told specifically about the chronology of events leading up to my son’s death… We were not told about the cause of death, only that he died because he was shot.

“Where he was shot, we don’t know specifically. An autopsy was carried out, but no clarification was given,” he told reporters after tahlil prayers for Zahir last night.

Yesterday, the army confirmed that the commando’s death was accidental, and said its investigative board has classified it as an isolated incident.

It was reported that Zahir died about 9.20am on the day of the incident at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.

He is survived by his wife and five children, aged between 5 months and 9 years old. – Bernama, September 27, 2019.