The Teoh Beng Hock inquest resumed today with the pathologists who conducted the second post-mortem disagreeing over the possible cause of death of the political aide.

Sungai Buloh hospital resident pathologist Dr Shahidan Md Noor, the person who performed the second autopsy on Teoh , took the stand today and told the inquest that he disputed the suggestion of another pathologist that there was a manual strangulation injury on the neck of the deceased.

NONE Shahidan had performed the autopsy in November under the watchful eyes of Selangor government-appointed pathologist, Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission-appointed Dr Peter Venezis ( right ).

NONE Pornthip ( left ), a director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science in Bangkok, which is part of the Thailand’s Justice Ministry, had taken the stand late last year when she revealed that the political aide's death was 80 percent homicide .

Shahidan, in replying to questions from government appointed lawyer Tan Hock Chuan, said although there was a round bruise "berry" mark on the left side of the neck, he believed it was not as a result of strangulation.

"If there was strangulation the degree of force applied by the fingers would be different and would not result in such marks.

"It would require a great degree of force to result in asphyxia, where there would be signs of force to the neck. The injuries to the neck is consistent as a result of falling from a high place," he said.

The post mortem performed by Shahidan also found there was no fracture of the hyoid bone and thyroid at the neck. 

Disagreement over existence of anal injuries

NONE Shahidan ( left ) also disagreed with Pornthip that there was force imposed on the anal region of the deceased.

"If indeed this happen, there would be marks of an old injury within the anal region. However, all the injuries are consistent with signs of injury as a result of the fall," he said.  

Pornthip has earlier testified that the injuries in the anal region did not appear to be caused by the fall but by the penetration of an external object.

Teoh, when falling from Plaza Masalam had landed on his feet resulting in multiple fractures to both legs, before falling on the right side of his body resulting in fracture to the ribs, arms, and skull.

However, the bruise on the left side of Teoh's neck still remains a mystery. 

This morning, Shahidan told the inquest that he was reluctant to perform the second post-mortem as requested by Tricia Yeoh from the Selangor Menteri Besar’s office and lawyer Teoh family lawyer Gobind Singh Deo.

Shahidan said he asked the duo to write to the Health Ministry. On Nov 9, he got a call from deputy public prosecutor Mohd Abazafree Mohd Abbas ordering him to perform the post-mortem.

He said Pornthip and Venezis, along with the two pathologists who performed the first post-mortem were present when the autopsy was carried out.

NONE The post-mortem began at 12.45pm on Nov 22, and finished two hours later.

Referring to the post-mortem report, Shahidan said there was bruising at the thyroid of the deceased.

There was also a permanent blood clot at the back of tongue near the neck, as well as bleeding on the right side of brain.

The pathologist described in detail his external examination of the body and referred to more than 70 photographs taken at the post mortem. Shahidan told the inquest that scratch marks were found on Teoh's left arm.

However, he said that the cause of death was from multiple injuries as a result of fall from a high place. He added that the injuries found on Teoh's neck was caused by the fall.

The witness also said the two pathologists, Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim from Klang Hospital, and Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar, from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, who performed the first post mortem had done their job well.

Following the conclusion of Shahidan's testimony, Gobind told the court he would need time to study his notes and also the court notes over the testimony regarding injuries to Teoh's neck and also the anal region.

Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas then fixed March 1, and March 10, where the pathologist will be cross-examined by lawyers representing Teoh family and Selangor government.

Both Pornthip and Venezis to testify later

Pornthip is also expected to tabled her findings along with Venezis, the famed pathologist involved with investigations into Princess Diana's death at a later date. Both their post mortem reports are also ready.

azlan Coroner Azmil ordered the second autopsy on Nov 9 following Pornthip's startling revelation.

Teoh died on July 16, after being interrogated by MACC officers at its Selangor headquarters in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam. While the official version is that the DAP political aide fell to his death, his family have however alleged foul play.

Following the second autopsy, Suara Keadilan had two months ago indicated that the cause of death to be homicide.

However, MACC officers lodged a police report alleging Pornthip had leak her reports to the media, resulting in the possibility that Thailand’s most famous pathologist may refuse to testify.

This led to attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail stepping in to clear Pornthip of any wrongdoing.

However, Teoh’s family lawyers - Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh Deo - wanted the MACC officer who lodged the report be cited for contempt.

A proceeding was initiated but in the end, the coroner decided not to haul in the officer, Raub Ghani, for contempt .

Lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, who is representing the Selangor government, has confirmed that Pornthip will be testifying.

 

VIDEO l 3 mins