Penny Wong asked to intervene after Anna Jenkins’ inquest delayed again

 

Anna Jenkins disappeared in Penang in 2017 and her remains were found at a construction site three years later.

GEORGE TOWN: An Australian MP has called on foreign minister Penny Wong to intervene in the inquest into the death of an Australian grandmother after it was delayed for the third time.

Frank Pangallo, a member of the South Australian parliament’s upper house, said the delays are disrespectful to Annapuranee Jenkins’ family.

Parit Buntar-born Jenkins, 65, fondly known as Anna, was in Penang on a short holiday with her husband in December 2017 when she disappeared after a Uber ride, Her remains were found three years later at a construction site here.

The inquest had been due to start in March but was delayed because of a judges’ conference. When it began, it was shortened at the request of the prosecution director.

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It was delayed a second time in June to allow the police more time to gather evidence.

Now, Pangallo said, the authorities had informed the Jenkins family of another delay ahead of the continuation of the inquest on July 18.

The delay, he said, is caused by the transfer of the coroner to another state.

Pangallo said the “apparent reluctance” to proceed with the inquest indicated that the Malaysian authorities were reluctant to find out what actually happened to Jenkins.

He urged Wong to “formally advise” the Malaysian government on the matter.

“How else can you explain this further delay, made only days after Wong commented publicly about Jenkins’s unexplained death for the first time?

“The delay is another devastating blow for the Jenkins family by an uncaring, insensitive Malaysian justice system. They have been treated disgracefully.

“This would never happen to a Malaysian national here in Australia who disappears in such mysterious circumstances never to be seen alive again,” he said.

FMT has contacted the Penang courts’ chief registrar for comment. - FMT