The Teoh Beng Hock inquest resumed today with senior counsel Karpal Singh calling Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz kurang ajar (ill-bred) for accusing Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand of lying.

tan boon hwa sue macc 220709 karpal Karpal, who is representing Beng Hock's family, has asked the Coroner's Court in Shah Alam to cite the minister for contempt of court.

"This is a serious offence as what is said has a tendency to interfere in the administration of justice. This issue has to be decided by this court and no one else," Karpal told the inquest.

"The minister has a big mouth and this is not the first time he has made such an irresponsible statement. The dignity of the court has to remain intact."

Karpal argued that Nazri had violated the doctrine of separation of powers be pre-judging the issue and had cast doubts on Pornthip’s ability of being a truthful witness.

“To compound matters the minister had said, ‘If he (Karpal) wants to cite, cite- lah . Karpal can cite me to the World Court, who cares?’ - as if he is challenging the court's dignity.”

Citing case law, Karpal said most cases of prejudging of issues fall within the existing definition of contempt. He said Nazri's conduct was unbecoming of a law practitioner and a minister.

“There should not be any interference of any kind. The minister's statement seems to suggest he possesses ‘special knowledge' of what is happening inside and outside the court. This has to be addressed immediately."

Nazri could face jail sentence

Nazri had yesterday stood by his remarks when questioned in Parliament.

Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, said Beng Hock's brother Meng Kee, as the applicant, has the duty to ensure the inquest into the controversial death of the DAP political aide is carried out according to law and without any interference even from those holding high position.

Meng Kee, along with Karpal, had submitted the application last Friday to cite the minister for contempt following his accusation that Pornthip was lying as to why she is unable to testify in the inquest.

Lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, representing the Selangor government, argued that the court must address matter as it involves the state government's witness.

Bar Council lawyer Jaspal Singh also pointed out the need for urgency in clearing both the court's reputation and that of the witness.

Cornoner Azmil Muntapha Abas will decide on April 26 whether or not to hear Karpal's application to cite Nazri for contempt.

If leave is granted, Nazri must come to court to give reasons why he should not be cited for contempt. If found guilty, he could face a jail sentence.

Pornthip absent

Malik had earlier informed the court that the state government had written to Thai Justice Ministry on April 13 to request Pornthip's presence at the inquest.

The inquest was told that the Thai Justice Ministry had informed the Selangor government in a letter dated April 8 that Pornthip could not come to Kuala Lumpur 'due to prior commitments'.

Malik added he could not verify the actual reason why Pornthip has not been able to attend.

azlan Pornthip had last week told Malaysiakini that she feared for her personal safety and expressed concern that her involvement in the inquest had affected her work in southern Thailand.

Pornthip, who is helping the Selangor government on a pro bono basis, was due to testify today on her findings of Teoh's second post-mortem findings.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) head of prosecution Abdul Razak Musa said he wants the inquest to proceed.

“A lot of time has been wasted since the second post-mortem was conducted in October. We fixed this date owing to Pornthip's vacancy, and now we have obtained a reply from the Justice Ministry that she can't come due to prior commitments,” he said.

In other courts, he noted, Pornthip would have been slapped with an arrest warrant.

Teoh’s 31st birthday today

NONE Abdul Razak also said Dr Peter Venezis, the British pathologist hired by MACC, is willing to come on April 26 subject to the clearing of the volcanic ash which has enveloped parts of Europe, resulting in the suspension of air travel for several days.

"Flights have been postponed for five days in Europe," he said.

Today also marked what would have been Teoh's 31st brithday.

In a subdued gathering outside the court, DAP Youth members along with Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching presented Teoh's family with a birthday cake and flowers to observe the occasion.

VIDEO | 2 mins 

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