Cops rule out foul play, friends rule out suicide

Though the police have ruled out foul play in the mysterious death of Teoh Beng Hock, his friends and relatives refused to accept the notion that he would have taken his own life.

This is because his fiancee is pregnant and the couple were busy planning their wedding reception scheduled to take place in October.

According to China Press Online, Batu Pahat-born Soh Cher Wei, 28, confirmed that she was two-months pregnant with Teoh's child.

She told reporters this while waiting for the autopsy report on Teoh at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang.

Soh's pregnancy was first mentioned by Teoh's friends on social networking website Facebook.

Meanwhile, Teoh's mother Chong Sau Huay told Guang Ming Daily she could not accept the manner in which her son died, insisting that something was amiss.

"Beng Hock and Soh were supposed to come back to Malacca today to register their marriage and try out the wedding dress.

"Their wedding dinner was fixed for Oct 3. A restaurant has already been booked," said Chong.

Called friends about wedding reception

Teoh reportedly contacted everyone on his guest list to enquire about their attendance. Those who received such calls were unable to accept his death, reported China Press.

One such individual was contacted by Teoh the day he appeared before the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's office in Shah Alam.

"He is getting married and he calls up his guests for confirmation. How could he be suicidal? I'll never believe it!" said the anonymous friend.

Another individual, who was unable to pick up Teoh's calls, was shattered to hear about his demise.

"He probably wanted to know if I will attend the wedding dinner and I was unable to pick up his final call. Now I have lost a friend. I will never believe he committed suicide," he said.

Yesterday, Teoh was found dead, nine floors below the Selangor MACC headquarters in Shah Alam, raising questions about the circumstances of his death.

He was the political secretary of Selangor exco member Ean Yong Hean Wah, who was one of the Pakatan Rakayat state reps being investigated by MACC for alleged misappropriation of state funds.

By Malaysiakini
17th July 2009