SHAH ALAM: The inquest which is looking into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock on Tuesday allowed a police report that was lodged nearly a year ago by a 'mystery witness' who alleged torture by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers.
However, coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas said the line of questioning should be limited to the purpose of determining whether any interrogation occurred, the use of force and the involvement of the officer during the interrogation.
Azmil Munthapa said the report has relevance on the basis that it occurred at the same location (14th floor Plaza Masalam) and could involve the same people.
"The details of the report are somewhat relevant to the facts of the inquest," he said.
The court agreed that the 'mystery witness' be called to the stand Wednesday.
Here is an account of what transpired:
1.45pm: Court adjourns to tomorrow. A new witness - the mysterious person who lodged the 'torture' report - is expected to take the stand. His identity is unknown for now.
1.40pm: Mohd Ashraf says he was never called by the police regarding any allegations in the police report. He is also free from any civil suit and was never sued for causing grievous hurt.
1.35pm: Mohd Ashraf says Teoh never complained about being in pain while he was at the MACC office. Teoh did not say anything about getting married, he said.
1.25pm: Mohd Ashraf says Teoh looked nervous when he saw the four documents that were printed from his laptop. He says another officer had shown Teoh the documents during a questioning session on July 15
1.15pm: Coroner says report has relevance on the basis that it occurred at the same location (14th floor Plaza Masalam) and could involve the same people. 'The details of the report are somewhat relevant to the facts of the inquest,' says Azmil Munthapa.
Mohd Ashraf called to the witness stand. Abdul Razak starts the questioning.
1pm: Abdul Razak says there is no need to put witness on the stand just to discredit him and ask irrelevant questions as 'this is not a trial.'
12.45pm: Gobind disagrees with Abdul Razak. He says the police report has accusations implicating the witness (Mohd Ashraf).
Gobind questions the 'fear' that the MACC has regarding the matter. "Why the fear? If you haven't done anything wrong, then say you didn't do anything wrong."
Gobind insists that Mohd Ashraf would have the chance to counter the allegations if he is allowed to take the stand.
Abdul Razak says Gobind cannot implicate Mohd Ashraf because after viewing the report, Mohd Ashraf's name was not mentioned in the report.
Gobind says the report stated 'several MACC officers' and Mohd Ashraf is a MACC officer.
Lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, for the Selangor government, supports Gobind's argument, saying Mohd Ashraf works for the MACC at the time the report was lodged.
12.35pm: Court resumes with Abdul Razak saying that the police report is irrelevant to the inquest for a few reasons. One is that the person who lodged the report on Sept 11, 2008 is a suspect while Teoh was a witness.
11.50am: Lawyer Tan Hock Chuan (representing the Attorney-General's Chamber) suggests that police report Gobind Singh Deo mentioned on Aug 28 (relating to abuse and torture by MACC officers) be given to Datuk Abdul Razak Musa, the lawyer for MACC. Gobind agrees.
Court takes a short break for parties to view the report.
11.24am: 19th witness MACC officer Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus, 25, recalled to the stand for the second time.
Executive councillor Ronnie Liu walks in and sits at the front row of the public gallery. - The Star
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