Renowned Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand will not be able to testify in person when the Teoh Beng Hock inquest resumes tomorrow.

khalid ibrahim Instead, the Selangor government, which has engaged Pornthip, is arranging for her to testify via video-conferencing.

“Preparations are being made as the Thai Ministry of Justice has given the go-ahead for her to testify via video-conferencing,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, after chairing the state exco meeting today.

“If allowed by the court, not only will Pornthip be able to testify (but) the issue (of ensuring) her security will be addressed.”

Khalid said the state government had filed an application in the coroner's court on Monday, to have the video-conferencing conducted at I-City in Seksyen 7, Shah Alam.

However, Khalid noted coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas has yet to decide whether or not to allow video-conferencing.

Khalid said he understands that the coroner has to wait for feedback and to get the go-ahead from Chief Justice Zaki Azmi.

NONE “We are hoping the court will give a positive response in the interests of all parties. I hope the assistance rendered by the Selangor government will help in the smooth running of the inquest to (obtain) truth and justice for Teoh,” he said.

Malaysiakini had previously reported that Pornthip had come under pressure not to testify on her observations based on the second post mortem on Teoh's remains, and that her presence was uncertain .

She had, in her previous testimony, said she was convinced that the DAP political aide's death was "80 percent" due to homicide .

Waiting for coroner's directive

In a related development, Bernama quoted Gobind Singh Deo, who is representing the Teoh family, as saying that they are awaiting Azmil's directive before making arrangements, if all parties

agree to the proposal for video-conferencing.

human rights defender report 020407 malik imtiaz The report also quoted Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) head of prosecution Abdul Razak Musa as saying that he had received a letter from lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar (left) on Monday, informing him that Pornthip would not be able to attend the inquest.

   

However, Malik stated in the letter that he would be making an application for the Thai pathologist to testify via video conferencing.

 

Two more witnesses are expected to testify including Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Wah.

NONE Teoh, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on July 16 last year, after being interrogated overnight as a witness at the Selangor MACC office, located on the 14th floor of the building.

   

The coroner has fixed Friday for his decision on whether or not to grant leave to Teoh's brother, Meng Kee, to cite Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz for contempt.