SHAH ALAM, Wed: The Coroner's Court today directed the police to conduct investigation into the contents of a mysterious letter that had details relating to the death of Teoh Beng Hock.
Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas who studied the letter said it clearly had several elements that were closely related to the proccedings of the inquest.
"As such, I need to direct the investigating officer Ahmad Nazri Zainal to investigate the contents of the letter that are related to the scope of the inquest proceedings to determine the cause of (Teoh's) death," he said.
He also reminded the lawyers involved not reveal any important information regarding the contents of the letter to the media which could hamper police investigation.
The letter was received yesterday by the lawyer for Teoh's family, Gobind Singh Deo, from a person when the inquest proceedings ended yesterday evening.
"Yesterday I received a letter dated Aug 5 that contained matters related to the inquest proceedings but I cannot reveal the contents here (in court)," said Gobind Singh as soon as the proceedings began at 3pm.
"With this, I want to apply to the court to direct the investigating officer to investigate the contents of the letter which are important and relevant to the inquest proceedings," he said.
The five-paged, typed letter was then handed over to coroner Azmil Muntapha.
Lawyer Tan Hock Chuan, for the government, did not object to Gobind Singh's application and said: "The allegations in the letter need to be investigated by the police as we are all here to get to the truth in this matter.
"There are several names mentioned in the letter. The police need to be given the opportunity to determine the truth or otherwise of the allegations in the letter," said Tan.
Outside the court, Gobind Singh told the media the letter was received by him in the court building here between 5-6pm yesterday.
He said the letter contained much relevant information for the coroner regarding reasons that led to Teoh's death.
"However, the coroner has asked that all parties did not reveal (the contents) as investigation was being done," he said.
Asked whether the letter would bring about changes in the case, Gobind Singh said: "To me, yes, it may bring new information."
Teoh, 30, the political aide to the chairman of the Selangor state committee for new villages and illegal factories management, Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16 on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam here after giving his statement as a witness into allegations of misappropriation of Selangor state funds at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office in the same building.
The inquest proceedings continue on Monday. -- NST.
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