Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said that the inquest should be held without undue delay and carried out transparently and impartially.

He said the inquiry could help shape policies and interventions that should be developed or improved on and help to build public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system.

Sevan also complimented home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for taking responsibility for the body mix-up case recently and offering to reimburse the funeral expenses borne by the family.

The family in Negeri Sembilan had been told their son had died in prison and had prepared his funeral, only to find out just before the cremation that he was still alive.

The family said they had spent about RM20,000 on the funeral arrangements and cremation costs.

Sevan praised Saifuddin’s acknowledgement of the negligence on the part of the prison authorities and the announcement of an investigation committee.

He urged the home ministry to provide regular updates on the committee’s findings, “specifically, any gaps found in the prison’s identification process and its implementation, as well as corresponding recommendations”.

The recommendations should be swiftly followed by responsive action by the home ministry and the prisons department, he said.