Teoh Beng Hock’s sister Lee Lan and lawyers Gobind Singh Deo, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar and Karpal Singh attended the final meeting of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) today, prior to the start of proceedings on Monday.

LeNONEe Lan (right in photo), accompanied by Gobind, arrived at the Jalan Duta court complex at 3pm, while the panel members arrived about 3.15pm.

About 4.40pm, Lee Lan and the lawyers left the meeting, after a 15-minute discussion with the panel members.

Lee Lan, who had attended the coroner's inquest into her brother's death in Shah Alam without fail, appeared tired and unwell. She is expected to issue a statement later today.

She had previously asked the RCI, formed on Jan 26, to conduct its hearings in a fair, professional and transparent manner.

She had also expressed disappointment that the government has been silent on the family's demand to include four more individuals, recommended by civil society, in the current seven-member panel.

Lawyers' concerns

Met at the lobby of the court complex, Karpal told reporters that the lawyers were concerned about the date set for the inquiry to begin, and had expressed their views on the matter to the RCI.

NONE"There are many cases on (Feb 14)... and there is the revision (of the open verdict in the Teoh inquest) pending in the High Court," said Karpal.

He stressed that the High Court's judgment was superior to that of the RCI.

Gobind said the lawyers have yet to examine the witness list, but this would be sorted out on Monday.

"We have asked for the list of witnesses form us to know who are they are. We are also concerned about the fact that certain witnesses were brought in by the family during the inquest, so we want to know what the position is with them," he said.

"We have been basically asked to make these applications in open before the RCI on Monday, so that decisions can be made."

According to Gobind, the panel met today to discuss issues pertaining to logistics and administration.

He explained that the lawyers were only invited to the meeting this morning, to indicate their concerns and issues expected to be brought up during the inquiry.

Gobind also said an application would be made for the RCI to postpone its probe to allow the lawyers to make alternative arrangements for their other cases.

"We weren't consulted on the date. As all of you are aware that the courts are very strict with postponements these days.

"If the RCI proceeds on Monday it will put us in a spot because we already have cases lined up until March, and some in April."

Reports on MACC procedures

The meeting today was expected to receive reports from investigating officers on procedures of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and of similar agencies elsewhere, for the purpose of comparison.

azlanBesides investigating the cause of Teoh's death, the RCI will evaluate whether the MACC followed proper procedures when questioning Teoh as a witness in its probe into alleged misuse of Selangor government funds.

The DAP aide to a Selangor executive councillor was found dead on the fifth floor landing of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on July 16, 2009, after being interrogated overnight at the Selangor MACC office on the 14th floor of the building.

The RCI, headed by Federal Court judge James Foong, is expected to wrap up its inquest and present its report to the Yang diPertuan Agong by April 25 at the latest.

The inquiry will be conducted every week, from Monday to Friday.

Later in the evening, the director-general of legal affairs in the Prime Minister's department, Saripuddin Kasim, who is also the commission secretary, met reporters at 6.15pm and informed that the meeting was to go through preparations made for the inquiry.

“Today, we were briefed by the conducting officers on the progress of their preparations for Monday and we also visited the courtroom where the inquiry is to take place,” he said.

The conducting officers are senior federal counsel Amarjeet Singh and deputy public prosecutors Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud and Kwan Li Sa.

“We also heard about Karpal’s application on the behalf of Teoh’s family and Malik’s application on the behalf of the Selangor state government. All (this will be resolved) on Monday,” Saripuddin added.

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