After four years of heartache an inquest into Anna Jenkins’s disappearance begins

The family of Adelaide mother Annapuranee “Anna” Jenkins, allegedly murdered in Malaysia, are looking forward to an inquest to begin this week into the case.

The inquest into the disappearance of Australian woman Annapuranee “Anna” Jenkins in Malaysia will finally start on Monday, after a four-year battle by her family.

Malaysian-born Mrs Jenkins, 65, of Glenelg East, was on holidays with husband Frank and went missing after a dentist appointment in George Town on Penang Island on December 13, 2017.

She was last seen in an Uber on her way to visit her 101-year-old mother in a nearby aged care home.

Her son Greg Jenkins told The Advertiser there would not have been an inquest unless the family had lobbied relentlessly for justice.

“We want justice for Mum and for the police to be ordered to conduct the proper investigation we have been screaming for,” he said.

He suspected that his mother had fallen victim to foul play.

The Jenkins family’s disappointment with police efforts saw them conduct their own search and offer a reward for information.

Annapuranee Jenkins, an Australian citizen who is missing in Malaysia.

The family of Annapuranee Jenkins put up a 20,000 Ringgit reward ($6750 Aus dollars) for information about her disappearance.

On June 14, 2020 some of Ms Jenkins’ possessions and human bones were discovered at the construction site of a luxury villa complex and DNA tests matched the bone fragments to Mrs Jenkins.

A building worker who had seen reward posters about the disappearance sent the family some photos of the possessions which included rosary beads, glasses case and a Clare Country Club pen.

Missing women Annapuranee 'Anna' Jenkins’s husband Frank Jenkins and daughter Jen Bowen. Picture: Bianca Di Marchi

Mr Jenkins immediately flew in to search the area, around 500m from his mother’s last known location.

“I went back and that’s when I heartbreakingly found parts of my mother’s spine and skull fragments,” he said.

“We have been fighting for justice for Mum ever since and have been met with apathy and ignorance and incompetence throughout this entire period.”

Supporters including SA-BEST MLC Frank Pangallo took up the cause, lobbying Malaysian authorities.

Mr Pangallo said it has been a difficult process for the family and it is “now up to the Malaysian authorities and the Coroner to get to the truth about Mrs Jenkins’ disappearance and

whether she may have been murdered at the hands of unknown persons.”

“Let’s hope the inquest can finally bring some closure to the grieving family and we can also see her remains returned to Adelaide,” he said, adding that he hoped “Malaysian authorities take note of the serious interest expressed by the Parliament of South Australia in seeing that justice is served to one of our citizens.”