The father and brother of the late David Hartanto Widjaja cited work commitments as the reason for their request, which was turned down by the court.

The former Nanyang Technological University student's father, Hartono Widjaja, said in a letter to State Coroner Victor Yeo that he was unable to stay for this part of the inquiry because he had to be back at work in Jakarta by Thursday; his son William, 24, who is to take the stand next week, also has to work.

He did not attend court with his parents on Wednesday.

The Coroner, rejecting their request, said the family had been informed of the inquiry dates in advance.

He advised the family to plead with their employers for leave to attend the hearing.

State Counsel Shahla Iqbal added that postponing the inquiry would also inconvenience the witnesses who had already taken time off to testify.

Mr Widjaja told reporters it was unlikely the family would be able to return for the rest of the inquiry.

The family's lawyer Shashi Nathan said he would try at least get William to be here to testify on the family's behalf.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.