PETALING JAYA: An inquest should be held to look into the cause of death of an army commando killed during a live fire demonstration early this month, says National Patriots Association (Patriot) president Brig-Jen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji.

He said he agreed with the request made by the late Mejar Mohd Zahir Armaya's father, veteran actor-comedian A.R. Badul, who said his son's family was planning to request an inquest.

Badul was reported by Bernama earlier on Friday (Sept 27) as saying that an inquest would give all family members an understanding of the true chronology of events leading to his son's death.

"I think Badul has the right (to request for an inquest) if he is not happy with investigation.

"He has lost a son, he feels unhappy, so let's give him a chance and hold an inquest," Mohamed Arshad said when contacted for a reaction on Friday.

Mejar Mohd Zahir Armaya was shot dead on Sept 4 during a live firing demonstration gone awry at an army camp in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The army yesterday confirmed that Mohd Zahir's death was accidental, having occurred during training, while an army investigating board had classified it as an isolated incident.

Mohd Zahir, who was reported to have died at 9.20am at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, was attached to the commando unit based at the Sungai Udang army camp in Melaka.

He is survived by a widow and five children aged between five months and nine.