KUALA LUMPUR: The inquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock enters its 24th day today.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Commission of Inquiry investigating the political aide’s death should be able to submit its finding to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, on April 25.
The commission is now in the process of examining the officers of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) who were involved in the investigation into the alleged misappropriation of allocations for Selangor assemblymen.
MACC acting assistant commissioner Hairul Ilham Hamzah will continue with his testimony today.
Last Thursday, Hairul Ilham had told the commission that Teoh was the man who prepared two invoices and two quotations pertaining to four projects for four different companies.
Apart from Hairul Ilham, a total of 21 witnesses had been called to testified at the inquiry so far, including pathologists and investigating officers.
Fifteen more witnesses are expected to be called, including Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand.
During the proceedings, three psychiatrists, namely Permai Johor Hospital forensic psychiatrist Dr Bada’iah Yahya, Health Ministry psychiatrist consultant Dr Nor Hayati Ali and Permai Johor Hospital director Dr Benjamin Chan had been allowed to interview Teoh’s family.
The commission is chaired by Federal Court judge Tan Sri James Foong Cheng Yuen and comprises former Appeals Court judge Datuk T Selventhiranathan, Forensic Pathology Consultant of the Forensic Medical Department of the Penang Hospital Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh and the Dean of Cyberjaya Medical Science College University, Professor Dr Mohamed Hatta Shaharom.
The commission was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Jan 26 after the coroner’s court returned an open verdict on the cause of Teoh’s death.
Teoh, 30, the political secretary to Selangor Executive Councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, Selangor after giving a statement at the MACC office located on the 14th floor of the same building.
The commission’s terms of reference are: Whether or not there was any impropriety in the MACC’s conduct during its examination of Teoh in 2009; and to enquire into the death of Teoh and the circumstances surrounding and contributing to his death. — Bernama