THE Inquest Begins Tomorrow

In case you haven't been keeping up with the news....

Tomorrow, the inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock, the political secretary of a Selangor state executive councillor, begins.

It will be in the Shah Alam magistrate's court to determine the cause of death.

Teoh, 30, political aide of Selangor State Executive Councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16 on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.

He had been questioned as a witness by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) between 5pm on July 15 and 3.45am the following day on the allegations of misuse of Selangor state government allocations, at the MACC office located on the 14th floor of the same building.

Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, for Teoh's family, when contacted by Bernama said he would make an appliction to get several documents including the post-mortem report before the inquest proceedings begin.

Statements from 77 people questioned will be the focus. Azmil Muntapha Abas is expected to act as coroner.

Among those expected to be called are 28 MACC officers, chemists and pathologists and several of Teoh's close friends.

On July 22, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that an inquest headed by a magistrate would be held into Teoh's death.

Besides Gobind, Teoh's family is also represented by lawyer Karpal Singh, while lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar would be an observer for the Selangor state government.

The Attorney-General's Chambers is still keeping mum on who would handle the case but it is believed that it will be an experienced Deputy Public Prosecutor.

Shah Alam Magistrate Court 5 is being prepared for the proceedings. Several workers were busy installing three screens to display the proceedings for the duration of the inquest.

Media persons are expected to be at the court as early as 6am to get seats in the public gallery as the court can only hold 60 persons.

(source: Bernama)