A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer today denied using 'psychological tactics' to break DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock during interrogation.

Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus said this when testifying at the inquest which is being held to determine Teoh's cause of death.

NONEAfter he was released following a marathon questioning session, Teoh apparently fell to his death from MACC Selangor's 14th-floor office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam.

Meanwhile, Ashraf said he just observed and assisted with the documentation during interrogation, while senior officer Arman Alies conducted the interview.

However, Gobind Singh, representing Teoh's family, told Ashraff that police reports have been lodged against him for allegedly using 'psychological tactics' during interrogation.

However, the officer denied having received training for such interrogation tactics.

He also said that Teoh was never subjected to harsh treatment.

Ashraf and Arman interviewed Teoh between 10.40pm (July 15) to 12.40am (July 16) under the instruction of investigation unit chief Hairul Ilham Hamzah.

Ashraf also confirmed that he saw Teoh lying on the sofa at the investigation unit around 4.45am on July 16 before he left.

"I didn't talk with him, but he asked for water. I then took a glass of water from the pantry for him," he said.

Gobind told the coroner's court that there were police reports which contained a detailed description of the abuse recently implicating MACC witness Mohd Ashraf Mod Yunus.

'It as not an interrogation'

Gobind said that the officer was lying about questioning Teoh.

Ashraf replied that they were not interrogating Teoh and they were merely interviewing him.

"You said Teoh couldn't answer questions... does that not mean that questioning him is an interrogation?" asked Gobind.

"I did not ask the question, (senior officer) Arman (Alies) did," insisted Ashraf despite being grilled by Gobind repeatedly.

Gobind : You didn't ask him anything?

Ashraf : No.

Gobind : Who reported back to Hairul (Ilham), didn't you?

Ashraf : Arman Alies did.

Gobind : Earlier you said that you had reported back to Hairul Ilham. Why are you lying?

Ashraf: I was with Arman when he reported to Hairul.

Ashraf also confirmed that he saw Teoh lying on the sofa at the investigation unit around 4.45am on July 16 before he left.

"I didn't talk with him, but he asked for water. I then took a glass of water from the pantry for him," he said, adding that there was no one else there at that point except Teoh.

Ashraf then said that he left the MACC office at 5.06am on July 16.

Gobind: Do you know there are police reports alleging torture and abuse by you?

Ashraf: I do not know about the reports.

Gobind: But you do know what happened, don't you?

Ashraf: I disagree.

"The witness or suspect at that time was tortured at the 14th of the MACC office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam... it states that the interrogating officers had taken turns to slap the witness, stripped him naked, and blindfolded him," revealed Gobind.

"They even wrapped an iron rod with newspapers and used it to beat him on his stomach, buttocks, hands and legs. They also used a rattan cane to hit the sole of his feet and genitalia," he said.

NONE"I had personally interviewed the complainant and there are photographs of the bruises inflicted on him," said Gobind, adding that there is more than one report of abuse but all lack investigations.

However, Gobind (right) did not proceed further, instead questioned him further on the police report as coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas said that the status of the report is not yet known and therefore the testimony of the witness could be self-incriminating.

The coroner also decided to take the report into consideration and allowed Gobind to frame his questions based on the circumstances of torture and abuse as stated in the police report as they were testing theories in the case.

Gobind agreed and submitted a copy of the police report to the court and the coroner informed Ashraf that he has the right to choose not to answer the questions and have an attorney of his choice present.

Government appointed lawyer Tan Hock Chuan also asked the court to allow some time for the witness, the 19th to take the stand, to think about it before going on.

'Focus on the facts'

MACC legal director Abdul Razak Musa, however, objected to Gobind's application to use the police report as grounds to question Ashraf and other MACC officers citing that the police report "is not relevant".

NONE"Until (the allegations) are proven it cannot be taken into account... to me this is irrelevant (and) we should just focus on the facts of this case," said Razak.

"Even it if did happen (in other case)...?" said Razak but failed to finish his sentence before taking his seat.

Meanwhile, the lawyer representing the Selangor government, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, said that Gobind's line of questioning should be allowed as it will shed light on the statements of pathologists Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim and Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar.

"The first pathologist (Khairul) had accepted the possibility of pre-fall injuries and the second doctor did not reject the theory," said Malik.

"These witnesses (all MACC witnesses) are saying that it (physical torture) has never happened, so it is important (to go into the facts)," he added.

The inquest was then adjourned to Sept 8 and Gobind told reporters that they are prepared to bring the complainant to testify before the court.

"These question may open the possibility of criminal charges being brought against him or other MACC officers... the point we make is very simple all the MACC officers have categorically denied that any violence is used. We seek to show otherwise," he said.

He asserted that even if there are objections, the witness who had filed the report will testify at the inquest.

"There are no investigations into these allegations, so the police have answer why they are reluctant to investigate the MACC," said Gobind.

'Inquest is politicised'

Prior to that Razak had requested the coroner to caution politicians not to "politicise" the inquest outside the courtroom as it draws various conclusions.

He said that Teoh's employer Ean Yong Hian Wah had held a press conference commenting on the "rights and wrongs" of the court's proceedings.

Malik, however, objected to this saying that the Razak request was "too wide" and added that it was like issuing a blanket ban on reporting the proceedings which is being held in an open court.

The coroner also rejected Razak's application as the proceedings are recorded and available for viewing on the Attorney-General's website.

"The court cannot stop anyone from making comments outside the courtroom... but only the testimonies given by the witnesses in the courtroom will be taken into account... everyone is entitled to their own opinion," said Azmil.