Selangor confirms Dr Pornthip no-show for Teoh inquest
(The Malaysian Insider) – The Selangor government has yet to decide its next move after confirming that its forensic expert Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand will not testify in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest when it resume on April 20.
The Malaysiakini news portal reported today that the director-general of the Bangkok-based Central institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) has pulled out, citing “political pressure” from Putrajaya that could affect her work in southern Thailand.
The flashy Thai pathologist could not be contacted yet to verify the reasons for not continuing her testimony into Teoh’s mysterious death last July 16. She had said it was “80 per cent homicide”, contradicting Malaysian pathologists who say the political aide could have fallen to his death or suicide.
Sources close to the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government only confirmed the news but declined further comment.
Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo, who is representing Teoh’s family, appeared surprised to hear the news.
“I’m not aware. Just know that there were some issues. I didn’t know she’s pulling out,” he told The Malaysian Insider over the phone this morning.
