FULL REPORT SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is preparing video conferencing facility for Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand to testify at the Teoh Beng Hock's inquest which resumes tomorrow, said Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
"We are prepared to have the video conferencing for her to testify live from Bangkok and this has been given approval from the Thai Ministry of Justice," he said, hoping that this could be done in i-City, Shah Alam.
He said that the video conferencing will help prevent any "security issues" surrounding Pornthip's safety which was previously put under scrutiny
Pornthip was reported to have received "political pressure" from the Malaysian government if she chose to testify at the inquest, alleging that this would impede her work in Southern Thailand and her safety.
The decision by the Selangor government to offer the video conferencing facility is yet to be approved by the coroner who will have to take instructions from Chief Justice Zaki Azmi.
"We hope the court could give us a positive response in the interest of the people. If this is given a green light, not only Pornthip can testify, her security will also never be an issue again.
"I hope that the video conferencing could proceed to smoothen the inquest in seeking justice for Teoh," he said.
Pornthip's expertise was sought by the Selangor government.
Pornthip 'ready' to testify
In her earlier appearance in the inquest, Pornthip had said that Teoh's death was "80 percent homicide". Local pathologists however insisted that Teoh could have plunged to his death or had committed suicide.
By taking the witness stand again, Pornthip is expected to reveal the mysterious circumstances surrounding the DAP political aide's death last July 16.
Thirty-year-old Teoh was the political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah and had been summoned to the MACC office on the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam to be questioned over allegations of irregularities in the state funds on July 15, 2009.
He was however found dead the following day on top of the fifth floor adjacent to the building.
According to Abdul Khalid, Pornthip is "ready" to testify tomorrow.
However, he does not rule out the possibility of the video-conferencing be delayed if proper approval has not been obtained.
"It could be delayed but Pornthip is ready to testify tomorrow," he said.
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