No injuries on Teoh before interrogation

MACC officer Mohd Nadzri Ibrahim told an inquest today that there were no injuries on political aide Teoh Beng Hock before a statement was recorded from the deceased.

Mohd Nadzri, the 21st witness in the inquest which is held to determine the cause of Toeh's death, said he did not notice any injuries on the man.

"I recorded his statement from 1.30am to 3.30am from Teoh," said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officer before coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas.

"We had a break at 2.30am as he asked permission to use the washroom. He was initially uneasy at the start of the interrogation but in the middle and towards the end (of the questioning), he seemed relaxed," said Mohd Nadzri.

The witness said there was only one officer who came into his room while the questioning was taking place. He identified the officer as Mohd Anuar Ismail who came in between 2am and 2.30am.

After recording his statements, Mohd Nadzri said he received instructions from his superior to ask Teoh to get further documentations.

"I informed him that he can go home but to come back later with other documents."

The witness also said that after the questioning period Teoh had asked to take a rest at a sofa in the MACC office.

This was at about 3.50am, added Mohd Nadzri, who said that he (the witness) had then left for home five minutes later.

To a question by lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, acting for Teoh's family, Mohd Nadzri said that he was aware of instances where suspects had been assaulted during questioning.

Admission of suspects assaulted

When pressed further, Mohd Nadzri kept quiet and did not deny instances of the suspects being beaten.

To another question as to whether there was a procedure for the MACC officers to check if a suspect or witness was being beaten or not during interrogation, he admitted there was a procedure.

"There are different forms to fill in for those considered to be a suspect or a witness. For witnesses, we asked them if they are willing to give their statements voluntarily. For suspects, it's up to them to provide details if they choose to remain silent".

Responding to another question from Gobind, the MACC officer said the witnesses generally tend to remain silent if MACC had used force, mental pressure and physical force to extract information from suspects or witnesses.

He also agreed with the counsel that it was not compulsory for Teoh to give his statement at late night as the political aide had agreed to give his statement the next day, in addition to bringing in new documents, which the MACC had requested.

In his response to questions from Selangor government representative Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, Mohd Nadzri said he had already determined that Teoh was the source in approving budget allocations.

"The investigations centred on allegations of misappropriation of funds by Selangor exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah. We were trying to determine how he obtained specific quotations and who owned the respective companies", said Mohd Nadzri.

To questions from the MACC head of legal team Abdul Razak Musa, the witness explained that Teoh had kept the rest of documents which the commission required at his office at the Selangor state secretariat.

Tan quarrelled with Teoh

Another MACC officer Bulkini Pakaruddin testified he had heard Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Wah quarrelling with Teoh at the washroom.

"I had accompanied Tan to the washroom. Teoh also entered the washroom at about 2.30am. Suddenly I heard Tan shouting in Mandarin inside the washroom saying "Ni Lor" meaning "this is your fault".

"I heard it but continued to go to the pantry to finish my meal", exclaimed Bulkini, who knew some Mandarin after studying from Standard one to six at a Chinese school.

When challenged by Gobind, Bulkini said he was telling the truth in which he had allegedly heard Teoh and Tan quarrelling. He, however, explained that he was unsure if anyone else was in the washroom.

Another MACC officer, Raymond Nion Anak John Timban, told the court that he entered the MACC office at around 5am on that fateful day to prepare a corruption case in Petaling Jaya.

Just before leaving the office at about 6am, he saw Teoh sleeping on the sofa.

He also told the coroner that between 5am and 5.45am, three MACC officers were still present in the office including its assistant director.

Hearing before coroner Azmil Muntapha continues after the Hari Raya holidays, on Sept 29.

Teoh, 30, political aide to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16 on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam after he had been questioned as a witness by officers of the MACC, located on the 14th of the building in Shah Alam. He was being investigated into alleged abuse of Selangor government allocations.