Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that he is willing to guarantee the safety of renowned Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand but requires more details of the alleged threats against her.

"If she can tell me what the threats against her are today, tomorrow I will guarantee her safety to attend court," he told journalists at a press conference at the Parliament House lobby.

azlan Hishammuddin said Pornthip would have to furnish more information on the alleged threats against her before he could respond to the Thai pathologist.

Pornthip told Malaysiakini yesterday that she was willing to testify in the ongoing Teoh Beng Hock inquest provided there was an iron-clad guarantee of her safety from the Malaysian government.

She had earlier said that she would not be testifying at the inquest due to unspecified political pressure form the Malaysian government.

"Let me know what she is afraid of, let me know who has been pressuring her, let me know what is the threat to her security and I will ensure the police will do whatever they can to make sure of her safety,” said Hishammuddin.

"What she has made is just a general statement. It’s very difficult for us to give an assurance because we don't know the threat she is talking about."

'Why so reluctant?'

Hishammuddin has earlier on Monday said that he “ will guarantee the safety of everybody - Malaysians, non-Malaysians, tourists, anybody who happens to be on Malaysian soil. It's our duty to protect and ensure their security."

NONE This is the second time that Pornthip had sought assurances to ensure that nothing untoward will happen to her when testifying in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest.

The first was when a police report was lodged against her for allegedly leaking the results of the second autopsy report and it was feared that legal or criminal proceedings may be taken against her.

Following the controversy, attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail had to issue a statement clearing her of any wrongdoing .

Meanwhile, at another press conference in the Parliament lobby, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang questioned the home minister's "reluctance" in assuring Pornthip's safety.

"Why the flip-flop? He already assured her safety on Monday. Why does he need details now?"

 

‘It is good news’

In an immediate reaction, Puchong member of Parliament Gobind Deo Singh welcomed Pornthip’s decision to testify provided her safety was guaranteed.

 

gobind singh deo jalan duta court 230409 01 "It is good news. As far as I am concerned, I am counsel for the Teoh family and Pornthip is an important witness in the inquest so she should come," he said.

 

When asked about Home Minister Hishammudin Hussein’s assurance for Pornthip’s safety, he stressed that the matter is between Pornthip and the Home Ministry.

 

"Whatever guarantee or protection (provided) is between the ministry and her. The ministry should get in touch with her lawyers and sort this out," he said.

 

Gobind ( left ) remained mum on whether an application of contempt will be filed against the minister in charged of legal affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department, Nazri Abdul Aziz for saying that Pornthip had lied in the inquest.

 

"I don’t want to complicate the matter," he said.