PETALING JAYA: Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran has welcomed the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to reclassify the investigation into the fatal police shootings in Durian Tunggal, Malacca as murder but questioned why the case was not treated as such from the outset.
He said the AGC’s confirmation on Tuesday, agreeing with police recommendations to investigate the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code, alongside a statement by the Inspector-General of Police, reflected a commitment to transparency and marked an important step towards restoring public confidence in due process and the rule of law.
However, Kulasegaran said the announcements raised a critical question that remains unanswered, namely under which legal provision the case was initially classified and why a murder investigation was not launched immediately after the incident.
“While the reclassification is welcomed, public trust in our institutions can only be maintained if the investigation is conducted swiftly and thoroughly,” he said in a statement.
Kulasegaran urged police to secure all relevant evidence and record witness statements while memories remain fresh.
“The manner in which the investigation proceeds and its eventual outcome will have wide-ranging implications for public confidence in the professionalism of the authorities, particularly in terms of their willingness to act against those in positions of authority,” he added.
He also stressed that the case was a test of the ability of institutions to safeguard the rights and dignity of vulnerable individuals.
“The families of those who were shot must be given assurance and confidence that the investigation will get to the crux of the incident.
“There can be no compromise when it comes to unlawful actions, regardless of who is involved. The rule of law must be upheld.”
The shootings occurred on Nov 24, 2025, when three men aged between 24 and 29 were killed during a police operation at an oil palm plantation at about 4.30am.
Police alleged that one of the suspects swung a machete at an officer, leaving a corporal with serious injuries to his arm.
The AGC said its preliminary review found that several additional investigative steps still need to be carried out before a final decision can be made.
