Second autopsy: Teoh's body exhumed
The body of political aide Teoh Beng Hock was exhumed today in a sombre ceremony at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih, Selangor.
The body of political aide Teoh Beng Hock was exhumed today in a sombre ceremony at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih, Selangor.
Following several Taoist rites, workers dug for about an hour before Teoh's coffin was raised at about 10.40am. It was put in a hearse and driven out of the cemetery at about 11.15am after more prayers were conducted and the body disinfected.
The entire process took place behind a large white shroud which enveloped Teoh's burial plot. Earlier, the police had also erected a 30-metre cordon around the burial plot with yellow tape.
Only a few people were allowed to witness the raising of the coffin, including Teoh's two siblings and lawyer Gobind Singh.
Present was Dr Porntip Rajanasunand, a prominent Thai pathologist whose testimony at Teoh's inquest led to the family's decision to request for a second autopsy.
Porntip, who is hired by the Selangor government, claimed during the inquest that based on photographs and the first autopsy report, she suspected that Teoh's death was likely 80 percent homicide and 20 percent suicide.
“The body looked good,” said Porntip in reference to the condition of Teoh’s remains.
Gobind thanked the Nirvana Memorial Park and the police for their assistance. However, he questioned why the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) did not send a representative.
"They should have sent representatives. I didn't see any of them, but that’s their prerogative," he said.
Teoh died on July 16 after allegedly plunging from the ninth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam and his body was found on the fifth floor landing hours later.
The ninth floor houses the Selangor branch of the MACC, which questioned Teoh overnight on alleged corruption involving the use of state funds by state assemblypersons.
Second autopsy at Sg Buloh hospital
After the exhumation, Teoh's body was whisked away to the Sungai Buloh hospital where the second autopsy would be performed.
The autopsy is scheduled to be done tomorrow.
The political aide’s parents were not at the exhumation but instead waited at the Sungai Buloh Hospital for the body's arrival.
Teoh’s wife Soh Cher Wei was also not present at the Nirvana Memorial Park as it is considered taboo since she is pregnant.
The political aide’s former employer and Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah expressed hope that the truth about Teoh’s death would be revealed soon.
"I feel quite calm because most Malaysians believe that Teoh is a homicide victim and did not commit suicide," he said.
However, he chided the MACC for hiring a British pathologist to oversee the second autopsy.
"I want to know how much they are spending on the British pathologist. It shows MACC has no confidence in local pathologists," he added.
MACC had announced that they had hired famed British pathologist Dr Peter Vanezis, who offered a differing and controversial conclusion on the high-profile death of Pricess Diana.
Like Porntip (left), Vanezis can only observe the second autopsy as Malaysian laws allow only local doctors to perform such procedures.
The second autopsy would be performed by Dr Shahidan Md Noor from the Sungai Buloh hospital. He was present during the exhumation, as was Dr Khairul Aznam and Dr Prashant Samberker who performed the first autopsy and concluded that Teoh committed suicide.
Porntip's services are free as she is a Thai civil servant who is here on a government-to-government arrangement.
She is the director-general for the Central Institution of Forensic Science, which is under the jurisdiction of the Justice Ministry.
About 50 press personnel, many of whom were dressed in black as a mark of respect, covered the event under the watchful eyes of 30 police personnel.
