KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 -- The country's first Orang Asli federal lawmaker today called for an inquest into the recent deaths of 14 aborigines from the Batek tribe in Kuala Koh, Kelantan.

Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor said that it was important to have a coroner decide and verify the cause of death, which the Health Ministry has attributed to a measles outbreak within the unvaccinated community.

"So via an inquest, we can confirm if what the minister, the Health Ministry said was indeed true. Let the coroner decide. I recommend and suggest that an inquest be held, so that the people of Malaysia will know the cause of the deaths," he said in his supplementary question to the Home Ministry.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman ...