TBH death homicide or suicide?

Act to reveal the truth

Renowned Thai forensic patho¬logist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand’s conclusion that there is a 80% probability that Teoh Beng Hock’s death was an act of homicide was shocking and it has created an interesting twist to the inquest into the case. Though it was shocking but not surprising as most Malaysians believe that something sinister should have happened during the detention, interrogation and mysterious death of Teoh in the premises of the Malaysain Anti-Corruption Commission(MACC).

Dr.Pornthip’s remarks, if proven to be true, would cast serious doubts on the operations of the MAAC and on the capability and integrity our own forensic experts who concluded that it was a suicide. It would reinforce the general perception that all was not well with the interrogation of Teoh who was just a witness to assist the MACC. It has also created fears among those who could be investigated or called up as witnesses by the MACC in the future.

Her basis for her conclusion as reported in the media appear to be logical and scientifically sound which contradicts with the findings of our own experts. If she is right then we have some very serious issues to address. What has gone wrong with our experts and their investigations? Aren’t our forensic experts and crime investigators as capable as their foreign counterparts?

Dr.Pornthip has been a practicing forensic pathologist for many years and is presently the Director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, in Bangkok. Her work in forensic pathology involved many complicated and puzzling cases particularly those involving police abuses in her country.

Her evidence should not be taken lightly considering her years of experience and her passion for her job as it exposes severe weaknesses in our system that needs to be addressed with urgency. The independence and integrity of the MAAC, police and the professionalism of our forensic experts has come under suspicion and the people’s confidence in these agencies is greatly undermined.

Instead of writing off Dr.Pornthip’s comments as irrelevant and politically motivated, the government should give her the full cooperation, including carrying out another post-mortem, to get to the truth surrounding this tragic death as our credibility among the international community is at stake. The quicker we act to put things in order the better for the nation.

The government and the MACC in particular has been given an opportunity to get to the truth of this tragedy and bring to justice those, if any, involved in the death of Teoh. That is the only way to prove to the people that the government is really serious in bringing about genuine change in governance that is has promised. It is the only way to win the confidence and support of the people.

Dr.Chris Anthony