The public hearing for the Committee of Inquiry (COI) tasked to investigate the riot that broke out in Little India in December will commence next Wednesday at 10am.

The COI hearing is expected to span at least four weeks. The committee said in a statement on Friday that it intends to call at least 70 witnesses - including the bus driver and timekeeper of the bus involved in the fatal accident - to give evidence on Wednesday.

It added that the committee has reviewed the statements taken by investigators from the Central Narcotics Bureau, who have interviewed close to 300 witnesses.

The committee said it has also visited the scene of the riot, and spoken to the foreign workers who were repatriated for their involvement in the riot, as well as those living in dormitories around the area to "seek their views on matters relating to the riot, including the living conditions of foreign workers in Singapore".

The Attorney-General's Chambers will be leading the presentation of the evidence at the hearing, with Senior State Counsel David Khoo giving an opening statement to broadly explain the evidence on the first day of the hearing.

When the public hearing concludes, the COI will consider the evidence presented and submit a report of its proceedings, findings and recommendations to the Minister of Home Affairs, the appointing authority of the COI.

Admission to observe the public hearings, which will take place at Court 13 of the Subordinate Courts, will be on a "first come, first served" basis.