SHAH ALAM: There is evidence that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers physically and psychologically abuse witnesses and suspects during questioning, a lawyer told the inquest into Teoh Beng Hock’s death.
Gobind Singh Deo, who is holding a watching brief for the political aide’s family, said he had in his possession police reports and photographs of injuries suffered by an individual to support his claim.
He told coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas that the person would be called to testify what had happened to him when Selangor MACC officers interrogated him at their office in Plaza Masalam, the same place where Teoh’s body was found on July 16.
“The witness will identify the MACC officers involved. However, I cannot reveal the name of the witness now because of security reasons,” said Gobind.
Teoh, who was the political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was summoned to the state MACC office located at the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam on July 15, to be questioned about alleged irregular disbursement of state funds. He was found dead the following day on the fifth floor.
Gobind said that among the accusations levelled against the commission in the police report were that the officers took turns to slap an individual, blindfolded and forced him to strip naked.
The officers were also alleged to have wrapped an iron rod in newspapers and hit the man in the stomach, buttocks, hands and legs.
The man was also said to have been kicked in the stomach and a cane was used to hit his private parts and feet.
Gobind made these allegations when questioning Selangor MACC assistant enforcement officer Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus.
Earlier, MACC counsel Datuk Abdul Razak Musa said the police report should not be allowed into the inquest as it was not relevant to the case, pointing out that this would open up the floodgates which would divert the proceedings from focusing on finding out the cause of Teoh’s death.
Azmil Muntapha, who gave Gobind the green light to use the police report to frame his questions, explained to Mohd Ashraf his rights as a witness in the inquest.
“You have the right not to answer if you feel that the questions may implicate you,” said Azmil Muntapha.
At one point, Abdul Razak also urged Azmil Muntapha to bar politicians from commenting on the proceedings outside the court.
He noted that Ean Yong had conducted a press conference, attended by DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, to speak about the inquest’s proceedings earlier in the week.
Azmil Muntapha said it was not possible to issue such an order as the proceedings were recorded and uploaded for public viewing on the Attorney-General Chambers’ website.
The inquest was adjourned to Sept 8.
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