Dr Pornthip’s credentials questioned as inquest mulls video link
By Neville Spykerman, The Malaysian Insider
SHAH ALAM, June 15 — A government lawyer today knocked Dr Pornthip Rojanansunand’s credentials, saying her earlier testimony had hurt the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as the Teoh Beng Hock inquest considered hearing the pathologist testify via video conferencing.
The Selangor government has applied for video conferencing as the Thai pathologist has cited security concerns for not coming down personally to give evidence over a second autopsy on the political aide who died last July 16.
MACC lawyer Datuk Abdul Razak Musa said Dr Pornthip was afraid to come and testify personally as she cannot substantiate her “80 per cent homicide” theory, repeating a few times that her evidence had unfairly cast doubts on the organisation.
He also said her credentials are not recognised by the Commonwealth and her assertions of security threat have not been expressed in police reports.
Teoh family lawyer Gobind Singh Deo and Selangor government lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar disputed his statement, saying it was up to the court to determine her credibility.
Coroner Azmil Munthapa Abas said he wanted to see court decisions from other countries before considering whether to allow Dr Pornthip to testify via video link.
He noted that the application was a novel or new situation.
