Government handwriting expert Wong Kong Yong established today that there were “differences” in Teoh Beng Hock’s initials in his witness statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

azlan Wong, a document examiner with the Chemistry Department, agreed to suggestions put forth by Bar Council lawyer Christopher Leong that there were notable differences in the “first and end strokes” to the “BH” initials penned on the MACC statement and on a mysterious note, alleged to be Teoh’s last testament.

“Initial (the first) stroke and terminal (the last) strokes are important characteristics,” Wong said when quizzed by Leong.

The mystery note, which was disclosed as an exhibit during Teoh’s inquest proceedings, was found by investigating officer ASP Ahmad Nazri Zainal two months after Teoh’s death and tendered it as an exhibit at the inquest 10 months later.

The mystery note had raised pertinent issues which suggested that the deceased had committed suicide and several misdemeanours on the part of the MACC.

azlan “There are other important characteristics,” he said, disagreeing with Leong that these difference can “overwrite the rest”.

Wong, who has submitted evidence in 140 cases in the past, stated that “the initial and end strokes” are indicative of an individual’s “art of calligraphy”.

“A person cannot reproduce the same signature at all times. (This) is due to natural variations.

“There is a possibility when making the loop, the pen did not touch the paper,” stressed Wong.

Wong also defended his previous position that the same person had “most probably” penned the Chinese characters in the mystery note and entries found in Teoh’s notebook.

However, he agreed that he did not have enough samples to provide an “expert opinion” on the matter.

‘An inclination to the same person’

Wong explained that he found five distinct Chinese characters that were common between the mystery note and the notebook and “showed an inclination to the same person”.

The notebook, however, was written mostly in “scribbles and in shorthand”, he added.

“I need at least five similar characters as admitted samples but it depends on a case-to-case basis,” he said.

Leong, who spent about six hours dissecting every aspect of Teoh’s signature and initials, also drew attention to the photocopy of Teoh’s statement to the MACC.

Wong said that he could only draw “an inferior” comparison to the statement and the writing in the notebook.

He concurred to Leong’s suggestion that “it is difficult to examine characters, pressure and shading” of a handwriting sample if one were to study photocopied documents.

When the commission enquired of MACC lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah for the original statement, he said that the anti-graft agency could not locate it after the inquest and hence submitted only a copy.

Leong also asked if he would be able to distinguish between a “digitised” signature and a penned one, Wong conceded that it would be possible with the help of specific equipment.

Teoh, who was a political aide to Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam.

He was questioned the night before by the MACC at their office, located on the 14th floor of the building, regarding irregular disbursement of state funds.

In January, coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas delivered an open verdict after an 18-month-long inquest, ruling out both homicide and suicide.

A royal commission was established soon after to investigate the cause of Teoh’s death and the anti-graft agency’s interrogation and operational methods.