Evaluation put off because hospital refused witness

KUALA LUMPUR: The scheduled psychiatric evaluation of Teoh Beng Hock’s family was postponed because the hospital refused to allow a witness to accompany them during the interviews.

Lawyer and Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng, who represented the Teohs said the family wanted to know why they were refused a witness during the evaluation at the Selayang hospital yesterday.

He added that Teoh’s family lawyer at the on-going inquest, Gobind Singh Deo, had informed the family that the coroner had imposed two conditions before the interview; each interviewee can be accompanied by a family member or a lawyer.

“We were told that the interviewees had to be isolated and only the doctors were allowed,” Lim told reporters after leaving the hospital complex.

The family had requested for a copy of the interview transcript. However, their request was denied by the hospital along with their request for a copy of the audio recordings of the interview.

“We are asking all this to ensure transparency during the meeting with the three doctors,” he added.

Teoh’s sister, Lee Lan, was disappointed with the outcome of the sheduled evaluation, which involved Teoh’s wife, Soh Cher Wei, father Teoh Leng Hwee, mother Teng Shuw Hor and brother Meng Kee.

“The hospital and the court did not give us a clear idea as to how this should be done. We travelled all the way from Alor Gajah only to find out that it will end this way,” Lee Lan said.