KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Mei 2026 (The Capital Post) – Malaysian Bar has stressed that the constitutional right to legal counsel must be protected following concerns surrounding proceedings at the Shah Alam Coroner’s Court involving the death inquiry of Dr Shintumathi Mutusamy.
According to a press release shared on the official Facebook page of the Malaysian Bar, the inquiry began on May 6 amid reports of suspicious circumstances surrounding the doctor’s death.
The statement said the family’s legal counsel had previously requested access to relevant documents before the proceedings, but the documents were allegedly not provided despite the request being within the counsel’s legal entitlement.
It added that the family’s lawyer later submitted an application before the Coroner’s Court, but the application was denied and the counsel was subsequently removed from the proceedings. The inquiry reportedly continued without the presence of the family’s legal representative.
President of the Malaysian Bar, Anand Raj, said a Coroner’s Court serves an important function in determining the circumstances behind sudden, suspicious, or unexplained deaths, making legal representation crucial in protecting the interests of affected families.
-Advertisement-
The Malaysian Bar further stated that denying disclosure and removing counsel could amount to a breach of natural justice and the constitutional right to legal representation, potentially raising questions regarding the integrity and validity of the inquiry process itself.
The statement also referenced Practice Direction No. 2 of 2019 issued by the former Chief Justice of Malaysia, which allows families to apply for disclosure in such proceedings.
“The violation of the right to counsel is an affront to the rule of law,” the statement said, adding that lawyers must be allowed to carry out their duties independently and without fear or favour in representing their clients.– The Capital Post
