KUALA LUMPUR, 28 July 2009: The inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock will begin tomorrow at the Shah Alam magistrate’s court to determine the cause of death.
Teoh, 30, was the political aide to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah. He was found dead on 16 July 2009 on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.
He had been questioned as a witness by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at its office in Plaza Masalam between 5pm on 15 July and 3.45am the following day on allegations of misuse of Selangor government allocations.
Lawyer for Teoh’s family, Gobind Singh Deo, when contacted said he would make an application to get several documents including the post-mortem report before the inquest proceedings began.
The inquest will focus on statements from 77 people who have been questioned by the police. Azmil Muntapha Abas has been appointed as the coroner for the inquest.
Among those expected to be called are 28 MACC officers, chemists and pathologists, and several of Teoh’s close friends.
On 22 July, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced that an inquest headed by a magistrate would be held into Teoh’s death. The setting up of an inquest to probe the cause of death, separately from a royal commission of inquiry that has been limited to just investigating the MACC’s investigation procedures, has been criticised by several quarters.
Besides Gobind, Teoh’s family is also represented by lawyer Karpal Singh, while lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar would be an observer for the Selangor government.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers is still keeping mum on who will handle the case but it is believed that it will be an experienced deputy public prosecutor.
At the Shah Alam Magistrate Court 5, Bernama found that several workers were busy installing three screens to display the proceedings for the duration of the inquest.
Media persons are expected to be at the court as early as 6am to get public gallery seats as the court can only hold 60 persons. —Bernama
raguel says
Don’t expect much from another eyewash. Why not get mediums to invite Teoh’s soul to reveal the shocking truth?