Teoh death: Best man rules out suicide
Written by Hwa En Ning, The Edge
There was no way that Teoh Beng Hock had committed suicide, according to his best friend.
Woo Chuan Sing told police today that he had received a text message from Teoh at 7.30am July 15, requesting him to act as groomsman for Teoh’s upcoming wedding.
"Please be my best man during my wedding ceremony on Oct 3," the text read.
The 30-year-old Woo said he later received a phone call from the former Sin Chew reporter to confirm the request.
Currently the sole owner of a telecommunications company, Woo said the two knew each other since varsity days at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and have been close friends for the past nine years.
"No way he would have committed suicide," Woo told reporters after giving his statement to police at the district police headquarters in Shah Alam this afternoon.
"Preparations for marriage proves that he was not suicidal," said Lim Lip Eng, member of parliament for Segambut.
Lim is among 12 people who gave statements at the police district headquarters today.
Among them were Ampang Jaya municipal councillor Chan Su Sann, Subang Jaya municipal councilor Pooi Weng Keong, Lee Koe Hiong, Thai Cheng Heng and Chong Hong Ming. Two journalists, Lee Wei Loon and Chang Wee Chang from Malaysiakini and Rocknews respectively, were among others who gave statements.
Around 40 witnesses already have given their statements up until July 22.
Lim also explained that the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) should investigate who, how and what killed Teoh, and not whether the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had been abusing its power.
Teoh was held by MACC as a witness on July 15, and was found dead on the fifth floor balcony of Plaza Masalam the next day. The MACC office is located on the 14th floor.
According to official reports, the MACC had released him around 3.45am on July 16, and Teoh was last seen asleep on the 14th floor at 6am.
The government has since decided to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to probe the interrogation procedures used by MACC and those employed on Teoh last week. Additionally, the government also has ordered a magistrate’s inquest to find the cause of Teoh’s death.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Wednesday that he expected the police to wrap up their investigation "very soon" and the inquest is expected to start next week.
