Wednesday September 30, 2009
Teoh’s family and buddy received SMSes to attend interview by forensic psychiatrists
By WANI MUTHIAH
SHAH ALAM: The inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock has been adjourned to Thursday afternoon when investigating officer ASP Ahmad Nazri Zainal returns from medical leave following his involvement in an accident in mid-Sept.
Teoh’s brother Beng Kee and best friend Woo Chuan Sing will testify when the inquest resumes.
Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas was also informed by Gobind Singh Deo, the counsel holding a watching brief for Teoh’s family, that the latter’s immediate family members, wife and friend had been summoned to be interviewed by two forensic psychiatrists.
He protested over the manner which they were summoned to present themselves at the psychiatric and mental health department of the Selayang Hospital.
All had received SMSes asking them to attend the interview yesterday.
He also asked Azmil Muntapha to outline the scope of questions that the psychiatrists could ask Teoh’s relatives and friend.
Gobind called for the psychiatrists to tender in the questions to Azmil Muntapha as well.
Azmil Muntapha then asked government-appointed counsel Tan Hock Chuan, who is assisting him, to tender in the list of questions to be asked by the psychiatrists.
Counsel holding a watching brief for the Selangor government Malik Imtiaz Sarwar also questioned the need to bring in the psychiatrists.
Tan said he did not know why the matter had become an issue, adding that not only family members and friends, but others who had been in contact with Teoh prior to his death would be interviewed to determine the state of mind of the deceased.
He added that this was in line with forensic pathologist Dr Prashant Samberkar’s contention during his testimony that only a forensic psychiatrist was qualified to determine Teoh’s state of mind prior to his death.
Azmil Muntapha will decide if the witnesses need to be interviewed by forensic psychiatrists after perusing the list of questions to be tendered by Tan by the end of this week.
Tan also tendered in 10 X-rays of injuries suffered by Teoh at the time of his death.
He told the inquest he would not be calling any more Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers to the stand.
Teoh, 30, the political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was summoned by the Selangor MACC to be questioned over the alleged irregular disbursement of state funds at their 14th floor office in Plaza Masalam on July 15.
He was found dead at the 5th floor service corridor of the building the following day.
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