KUALA LUMPUR,Aug 10 — Teoh Beng Hock’s family lawyer Gobind Singh Deo denied today that a note found in the dead DAP political aide’s bag last year was a suicide note.
He acknowledged, however, that the note may show Teoh’s state of mind.
“The Star carried a report today saying that the Attorney-General implied suicide. I confirm it’s a note but whether it’s a suicide note is questionable,” he said.
However he said the evidence was material to the inquest because it touched on issues prior to the death of the political aide to DAP’s Ean Yong Hian Wah last year.
The death of the 30-year-old political secretary has been the subject of a year-old inquest after widespread disbelief that he killed himself after being questioned over graft allegations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), in July last year,
Teoh, who was due to get married the day he was found dead, had been detained overnight by the MACC at their Selangor headquarters in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, before his body was found the following afternoon.
“The question on Teoh’s frame of mind in this trial has been used by the prosecution… now we find that they had in their possession a document ‘allegedly’ written by Teoh,” said Gobind.
He said he was very surprised that it was not made known to the coroner or lawyers.
The Puchong MP who is representing Teoh’s family in the inquest also points out that the “new evidence” had not been put to witnesses and experts who testified earlier.
This evidence could have been “tested” by these witness and its authenticity of the alleged statement could have been verified, he said.
“What’s (the point) of giving it to us now, after everyone has given their ideas, testimonies, what use is this to us?” he asked.
He said the AG should have known it was a most significant piece of evidence.
Gobind expressed disbelief at the AG’s explanation that he was initially not convinced of the note’s authenticity as the reason why the evidence was not raised earlier.
“If he’s not convinced of its authenticity then, how is he convinced now, month and months into the inquest?’
In a statement to the press yesterday the AG’s Chambers said it will only tender a document as evidence and until it is satisfied that any shroud of suspicion surrounding it is lifted.
But Gobind said it is not for the AG to decide if the note is authentic and he should have left it to the court to decide.
“It does not matter if he was unconvinced, he should have left it to the coroner to determine what’s admissible.”
He also pointed out Teoh’s family had been attending the inquest and the government lawyers could have sought their assistance through him.
Gobind added that the AG must explain what he has been doing with the evidence for 10 months
“With all due respect to the A-G, I find that this is a clear instance of evidence being withheld from us,” he said.
This sentiment was echoed by lawyer Salim Basir, who is representing Teoh’s former boss Ean Yong, in the ongoing inquest.
“They should have disclosed the evidence to the coroner and us as soon as it became available, not at the eleventh hour.”
He also pointed out that the authenticity of the note could have been determined during the course of the inquest.
Malaysian Insider
10/08/10
He acknowledged, however, that the note may show Teoh’s state of mind.
“The Star carried a report today saying that the Attorney-General implied suicide. I confirm it’s a note but whether it’s a suicide note is questionable,” he said.
However he said the evidence was material to the inquest because it touched on issues prior to the death of the political aide to DAP’s Ean Yong Hian Wah last year.
The death of the 30-year-old political secretary has been the subject of a year-old inquest after widespread disbelief that he killed himself after being questioned over graft allegations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), in July last year,
Teoh, who was due to get married the day he was found dead, had been detained overnight by the MACC at their Selangor headquarters in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, before his body was found the following afternoon.
“The question on Teoh’s frame of mind in this trial has been used by the prosecution… now we find that they had in their possession a document ‘allegedly’ written by Teoh,” said Gobind.
He said he was very surprised that it was not made known to the coroner or lawyers.
The Puchong MP who is representing Teoh’s family in the inquest also points out that the “new evidence” had not been put to witnesses and experts who testified earlier.
This evidence could have been “tested” by these witness and its authenticity of the alleged statement could have been verified, he said.
“What’s (the point) of giving it to us now, after everyone has given their ideas, testimonies, what use is this to us?” he asked.
He said the AG should have known it was a most significant piece of evidence.
Gobind expressed disbelief at the AG’s explanation that he was initially not convinced of the note’s authenticity as the reason why the evidence was not raised earlier.
“If he’s not convinced of its authenticity then, how is he convinced now, month and months into the inquest?’
In a statement to the press yesterday the AG’s Chambers said it will only tender a document as evidence and until it is satisfied that any shroud of suspicion surrounding it is lifted.
But Gobind said it is not for the AG to decide if the note is authentic and he should have left it to the court to decide.
“It does not matter if he was unconvinced, he should have left it to the coroner to determine what’s admissible.”
He also pointed out Teoh’s family had been attending the inquest and the government lawyers could have sought their assistance through him.
Gobind added that the AG must explain what he has been doing with the evidence for 10 months
“With all due respect to the A-G, I find that this is a clear instance of evidence being withheld from us,” he said.
This sentiment was echoed by lawyer Salim Basir, who is representing Teoh’s former boss Ean Yong, in the ongoing inquest.
“They should have disclosed the evidence to the coroner and us as soon as it became available, not at the eleventh hour.”
He also pointed out that the authenticity of the note could have been determined during the course of the inquest.
Malaysian Insider
10/08/10
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