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KUALA LUMPUR: A much-awaited inquest into the mysterious death of opposition political aide Teoh Beng Hock started on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur.
Teoh was found dead hours after being interrogated by the anti-corruption commission earlier this month. His body was found on the fifth floor of a 20-storey building that houses the commission, sparking a public outcry.
The case is being touted as the biggest inquest to ever come before a coroner in Malaysia.
Opposition leaders, members of the media as well as the public gathered outside the magistrate's court as early as seven in the morning.
More than 80 witnesses are scheduled to be called in a bid to determine how 30-year-old Teoh died. Among them will be 28 anti-corruption officers, Teoh's family members and journalists.
Teoh's family, including his father and fiancée, who is two months pregnant, attended the inquest.
Teoh Lee Lan, the aide's sister, said: "What we want is a full royal commission to investigate the cause of my brother's death and not an inquest."
The family had earlier met Prime Minister Najib Razak, who promised that he will do all he can to determine the cause of Teoh's death.
A royal commission will be set up to investigate the procedural conduct of the anti-graft body.
Still, the people are not satisfied.
Human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sawar said: "The reason why the people have asked for a royal commission is because there's certain lack of confidence in the system. To hive it into two separate proceedings does not really meet the people's expectation."
The first day of the inquest also revealed that traces of DNA from at least one unknown man were found on the body and clothes of the deceased. The police have taken samples from over 100 people but not a single one has matched.
The family's lawyers have been given a week to study all the reports, including the post mortem, forensics, DNA, and CCTV footage. However, their request for witnesses' statements was denied.
Foreign experts have been engaged to study the reports and make recommendations when the hearing continues on August 5.
- CNA/yb
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