Court dodges clash over Teoh verdict review
Lee Way LoonPublished: Jan 31, 2011 12:12 PM | Updated: Jan 31, 2011 3:51 PM
The Shah Alam High Court has fixed Feb 17 for mention of an application to review the ‘open’ verdict in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest, given that the Attorney-General’s (AG’s) Chambers is bent on pursuing this.
It appears bemused by the AG’s insistence on pursuing its application when a royal panel of inquiry has been set up.
The Shah Alam High Court has fixed Feb 17 for mention of an application to review the ‘open’ verdict in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest, given that the Attorney-General’s (AG’s) Chambers is bent on pursuing this.
This morning,
Justice Mohtarudin Baki agreed with lawyers Gobind Singh Deo, representing Teoh’s family, and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, acting for the Selangor government, who called for the review application to be withdrawn.
This is in light of the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) by the government, to look into the circumstances surrounding Teoh’s death on July 16, 2009.
The judge agreed with the lawyers’ suggestion that the revision be withdrawn so that it does not conflict with the proceedings before the five-member RCI.
However, the AG’s Chambers led by DPPs Dzulkifli Ahmad and Mohd Abazafree Mohd Abbas said they had received instructions to pursue the revision.
Justice Mohtarudin then set the date for mention, to ensure that the revision does not interfere with the RCI proceedings.
Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abbas had found on Jan 5 that Teoh’s death could not be attributed to either homicide or suicide.
AG going for ‘suicide’ verdict
Outside court, Gobind told reporters that he had seen the notice of appearance from the AG’s Chambers stating it is pursuing a verdict that Teoh had committed suicide.
"I have spoken to DPP
Dzulkifli and saw the letter from the AG to that effect. I am surprised the AG wants to proceed with this, I have seen the letter (stating) that the AG wants to push for a verdict of suicide,” he claimed.
Asked if Dzulkifli had whispered this to him, Gobind said: "You all did not hear it, he told me in open court."
Malik also questioned why the government wants a revision when the RCI has been set up.
"The AG said the coroner is wrong (and that the finding) should be suicide ...,” said Malik (left).
"(Since) the government has advised the Yang di Pertuan Agong to set up a RCI, why proceed with this? This means the government does one thing, but the legal advisor to the government does another thing. It has also put the court in a very (tight) spot."
Teoh was found dead on the fifth-floor service corridor of Plaza Masalam, after being questioned overnight as a witness by the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, which has its office on Level 14 of the building.
The RCI will begin its hearings on Feb 14 and present its report to the Agong by April 25.
This morning,
Justice Mohtarudin Baki agreed with lawyers Gobind Singh Deo, representing Teoh’s family, and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, acting for the Selangor government, who called for the review application to be withdrawn.This is in light of the setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) by the government, to look into the circumstances surrounding Teoh’s death on July 16, 2009.
The judge agreed with the lawyers’ suggestion that the revision be withdrawn so that it does not conflict with the proceedings before the five-member RCI.
However, the AG’s Chambers led by DPPs Dzulkifli Ahmad and Mohd Abazafree Mohd Abbas said they had received instructions to pursue the revision.
Justice Mohtarudin then set the date for mention, to ensure that the revision does not interfere with the RCI proceedings.
Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abbas had found on Jan 5 that Teoh’s death could not be attributed to either homicide or suicide.
AG going for ‘suicide’ verdict
Outside court, Gobind told reporters that he had seen the notice of appearance from the AG’s Chambers stating it is pursuing a verdict that Teoh had committed suicide.
"I have spoken to DPP
Dzulkifli and saw the letter from the AG to that effect. I am surprised the AG wants to proceed with this, I have seen the letter (stating) that the AG wants to push for a verdict of suicide,” he claimed.Asked if Dzulkifli had whispered this to him, Gobind said: "You all did not hear it, he told me in open court."
Malik also questioned why the government wants a revision when the RCI has been set up.
"The AG said the coroner is wrong (and that the finding) should be suicide ...,” said Malik (left)."(Since) the government has advised the Yang di Pertuan Agong to set up a RCI, why proceed with this? This means the government does one thing, but the legal advisor to the government does another thing. It has also put the court in a very (tight) spot."
Teoh was found dead on the fifth-floor service corridor of Plaza Masalam, after being questioned overnight as a witness by the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, which has its office on Level 14 of the building.
The RCI will begin its hearings on Feb 14 and present its report to the Agong by April 25.
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