No problem with inquest on shooting of gangsters, says Nancy

Family members of the five gangsters killed in a shootout with police early Monday morning can ask for inquests to be held, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri.

She said the government will not set aside the right to defend oneself even if it involved criminals.

"If there is a need to hold an inquest, they (families) could request for it. It is just that the case is still under police investigation. After the investigations, they could then make a presentation to the Attorney-General's Chambers for an inquest.

"There is no problem in holding an inquest as we have agreed that each state has a court coroner to handle such cases," she told reporters after an attending an Aidilfitri celebration organised by the Penang Bar Committee here last night.

She was commenting on calls by several parties which wanted an inquest to be held to enable the families of the five men to look into what actually happened during the shootout.