Teoh’s body to be released to family this evening

The casket containing Teoh's remains is loaded into a hearse for his last journey from the Klang hospital morgue. - Picture by Jack Ooi

Teoh's family members and fiancee, performing the 'calling of the soul' ceremony at the 5th floor of the MACC office building where the body was found. - Picture by Choo Choy May

KLANG, July 17 – The body of Teoh Beng Hock is expected to be released to his family members this evening at around 6 pm.

After being removed from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) headquarters in Shah Alam yesterday, Teoh’s body was taken to the Klang General Hospital.

Teoh Beng Hock’s fiancée Sue Sue Quay (left) and his family, led by his brother Beng Kee, perform prayers at the scene of his death to help his soul find peace. – Picture by Choo Choy May

An autopsy was performed this afternoon but so far no information as to the cause of death has been made available.

Teoh’s sister, brother and fiancé were seen waiting in the lobby of the mortuary, their faces masked with sorrow.

Teoh’s sister broke down when a TV reporter tried to ask her a few questions. His fiancé, Soh Cher Wei, sat quietly throughout with her eyes closed. His brother appeared sad but calm. They left at 3.50pm to perform special prayers at the MACC headquarters but will return later to claim the body.

Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu, who was also at the mortuary told, The Malaysian Insider that DAP had asked the police to return Teoh’s handphone but was told neither the police nor MACC had the phone.

“We need the phone because it will be helpful to know who he had talked to prior to his death,” said Liu.

Teoh was taken in for questioning by the MACC on Wednesday evening. The agency said he was freed a little after 3.45am but his body was later found sprawled on the roof of a five-storey building next door at 1.30pm yesterday.

It has not been determined if Teoh jumped to his death or had fallen.

Teoh’s funeral will be held in Alor Gajah, Melaka at 11 am on Monday. There will also be a vigil at his family home in Melaka tonight.

Liu added that gatherings are being planned to protest the suspicious circumstances surrounding Teoh’s death. He said that there will be one in Ipoh tonight, one in Penang on Saturday and one in Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, on Sunday.

By Lee Wei Lian
17th July 2009