The Attorney General should push for the inquest into the death of Teoh Beng Hock to be deferred.

It was revealed by the Selangor police chief just a while ago that police investigations into the case are ‘more or less complete’. It was also revealed that some reports such as the pathologist report have yet to be received by the police.

In addition to this, I have been informed that the police are only now asking certain individuals to produce DNA samples to assist in investigations. One would assume this is to connect those persons to the body of Teoh Beng Hock, which no doubt will have a huge impact on the case.

The Attorney General should not press for the inquest to proceed when these essential aspects of the investigations are yet to be completed. In fact, an inquest should only be held after the police have completed their investigations and where those investigations cannot by themselves find a cause of death.. This is because the Attorney General should first consider the findings of the police investigations before deciding whether or not an inquest is required. Here, it appears, the investigations have not even been completed yet.

I will be raising these matters in court tomorrow. Applications will also be made for documents. A deferment for a short while will benefit all parties to the inquest in that there would be time for the exchange of documents and very importantly, the family of Teoh Beng Hock would also be able to seek second opinions from experts on the various reports such as the post mortem, forensic and DNA report which would be of most importance to the inquest.

We propose to give the Magistrate and DPP assisting, the fullest of cooperation and assistance during the inquest. The outcome of the inquest is most important to all Malaysians and as such I am of the view that it ought not be rushed through as apparently is the case at present.

28 July 2009

GOBIND SINGH DEO

DAP National Legal Bureau Chairman

DAP MALAYSIA.