Pornthip 'prevented' from entering Malaysia to testify

Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand has not been allowed to come to Malaysia to testify in the negligence suit filed against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and 13 others by Teoh Beng Hock's family and"political interference" is behind it.

With the plaintiff side of the hearing almost coming to an end, the family's lawyer, Gobind Singh Deo (left), told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that Pornthip had confirmed she was not able to attend as one of the witnesses.

"She is unable to attend the hearing because of political interference between our (Malaysian) government and her (Thai) government," Gobind (left) said.

Pornthip was supposed to be the Teoh family's main witness in the suit.

Teoh, 30, the political aide to a Selangor state executive councillor, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on July 16, 2009, after he was interrogated at the MACC office on the 14th floor of the same building.

On Oct 3, last year, Teoh's father Teoh Leong Hwee, mother Teng Shuw Hoi (below, left in picture), fiancée Soh Cher Wei and son Teoh Er Jia, filed the suit against MACC, the government and 12 others for causing them sorrow and the loss of dependence.

The defendants denied the claims and counter-claimed that Teoh's death was caused by his own negligence.

In regards to Pornthip, senior federal counsel Azizan Md Arshad told High Court Judge Rosaini Saub that the defendants have no knowledge about the matter and took the claim as “hearsay” pending the proof by the plaintiff as to the alleged interference.

“We (defendants) need Dr Pornthip to be present for the hearing,” said Azizan.

Not the first time

This is not the first obstacle faced by Pornthip as in 2010, she claimed that the Malaysian government exercised "political pressure" to stop her from testifying in during the inquest into Teoh’s death.

According to her, the Thai Foreign Ministry had received “signals” from the Malaysian government through “informal channels” suggesting her presence at the controversial inquest would not be welcomed.

This resulted in then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (left) labelling Pornthip “a liar”.

Outside the courtroom today, Gobind claimed Pornthip sent him a text message as “clear indication” about her absence last night, which he claimed has a severe impact on the case.

“Again, the family has given me firm instruction to fight till the end,”Gobind stressed, however stating that he was not at liberty to disclose more detail behind the alleged “political interference”.

“Since the defence counsel says they want Pornthip, and the Malaysian government is one of the defendants, they should assist in securing her attendance,” he added.

However, to this, Azizan told Malaysiakini that although the defendants required Pornthip’s presence in court, the burden of getting her lied solely upon the plaintiff.

Meanwhile, hearing was adjourned and fixed to continue on Feb 5, 6, and 7, next year.