On July 16, 2009, former reporter and political secretary to state
exco member and Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, Teoh Beng
Hock was found dead on the fifth floor of the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Shah Alam.
He had been subjected to a marathon questioning session by the
Selangor MACC at its office on the 14th floor of the building over
alleged irregular disbursement of state funds prior to his death.
An inquest to determine the cause of his death began on July 29.
Finally, Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas is set to deliver his findings into
the controversial case today, which had left many claiming foul play,
including Teoh's family.
Below are live updates as the inquest unfolds in court:
Lim Kit Siang, Theresa Kok, Lim Lip Eng, Tan Sri Robert Phang and Ronnie Liu are among the MPs present in court today.
11am: Reporters gathered at the court complex.
1.15pm: A queue started outside the courtroom as reporterd and members of the public gather.
2pm: Reporters
and members of the public were allowed in. The court room was packed
as everyone eagerly awaited the proceedings to begin.
2.10pm: Teoh's mother, father, brother and sister entered the courtroom. His mother was seen holding a photograph of Teoh.
2.28pm: Counsel for Teoh's family, Gobind Singh Deo entered courtroom
3.06pm: Coroner, Azmil Mustapha Abas enters court
3.09pm: MB, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim enters court
3.10pm: Coroner begins reading out his findings
In all 37 testified - from that 12 were expert witnesses.
Coroner starts off with explaining his role and duties as a coroner in the inquest.
Pin drop silence fills the courtroom as everyone looking tense, waiting anxiously for the decision.
3.20pm: Coroner begins reading out the facts of the case
Reading out from his written judgement, the coroner stated Teoh's time of death is based on forensic findings.
Coroner said: "...taking into considerations of experts ...the time
of death of Teoh was between 7.15am to 11.15 am on July 16, 2009."
He said taking into considerations of all the parhologist testified- he died of multiple injuries due to the fall
He said taking into consideration testimonies from all the
pathologist, Teoh died of multiple injuries due to the fall, with neck
injuries being the most crucial factor.
The coroner also said he was not qualified to determine if the note left allegedly left by Teoh, was a sucide.
3.38pm: "I rule out death by deceased commiting sucide,"Azmil.
He said this was because there were many unsettled issues in the question of suicide.
3.48pm: Coroner returns an open verdict
"I find that there were pre-fall injuries but no evidence beyond
reasonable doubt that these injuries had contributed to the demise (of
Teoh)."
The coroner also ruled out that there was no third party involvement in the death of Teoh.
4pm: Teoh' family were seen walking out of the court complex. They refused to speak to reporters after the inquest
At least 50 supporters gathered outside the court complex asking for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).