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22nd November, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: The remains of Teoh Beng Hock, who was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on July 16 after being quizzed overnight by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), was exhumed without any hitches from his grave at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih near here yesterday.
The Coroner presiding over the inquest into his death had allowed Teoh’s family’s request to have the remains exhumed so that a second post mortem could be carried out, following Thai forensic expert Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, who was acting on behalf of the Selangor government, testifying that Teoh was probably murdered and that his death was not likely a suicide. The exhumation process which started at 9.15 took about three hours. However, during the exhumation, the gravesite was shielded by a fencing of white cloth.
Following various religious rites performed, the coffin bearing his remains was brought out of the cemetery in a hearse to be taken to the Sungai Buloh Hospital.
Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, who is holding a watching brief for Teoh’s family at the inquest, said all parties involved, the cemetery authorities, the police, and pathologists present gave their full cooperation during the exhumation.
“The exhumation was led by Sungai Buloh Hospital chief pathologist Dr Shahidan Md Noor in the presence of Dr Pornthip,” he told reporters at the scene.
Also present were Teoh’s elder brother Meng Kee and younger sister Lee Lan who confirmed that the remains were indeed that of Teoh’s, he said, adding that the second post mortem would be carried out at the Sungai Buloh Hospital today.
Of the some 50 other people present during the exhumation were DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and Selangor state executive councillor, Ronnie Liu.
Meng Kee and Lee Lan declined to speak to reporters.
Teoh, the political aide of Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, had been questioned by the Selangor MACC pertaining to alleged abuse of state funds in the Selangor government.
The Selangor MACC’s offices are located on the 14th floor of the same building.
The inquest into his death is still ongoing before Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas at the Shah Alam Coroner’s Court.
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