Coroner has no power to issue leave for committal proceedings, court heard

The coroner who heard the inquest into fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s death did not have the jurisdiction to issue leave to commence committal proceedings against former attorney-general (AG) Tommy Thomas, the Court of Appeal heard today.

Lawyer S Ambiga, representing Thomas, said Article 126 of the Federal Constitution and Section 13 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 provided the power to the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court.

"The jurisdiction of the coroner is only restricted to contempt in the face of the court," said Ambiga when submitting before a three-member bench...