Witness In Triple Murder Trial To Return Home

Bandar Seri Begawan – Mr Teo Hoon @ Teo Ah Hoon a key defence witness in the hearing of Brunei’s worst killings in living memory is to return to the country on Thursday.

Mr Teo’s daughter, Dr Teo Lee Na, who works at the RIPAS Hospital told the court that her father was away on holiday to an “ASEAN country” but he was cutting short his visit and coming back because of the case.

When the High Court could not find Mr Teo, 70, a retired Customs official, to give evidence the defence lawyers, Cheok Sankaran Halim put out an advertisement in the Borneo Bulletin and there was also publicity in the press.

Mr Teo’s evidence was important to the defence to establish an alibi as the accused Richard Chia Kok Hiong, 53, is claiming that he was with Mr Teo during the night of the triple murder. Richard, a car salesman and a neighbour is denying all charges.

The shocking killing of a family of three during Christmas happened two years ago at Kampong Serusop near the capital.

The murder victims were Royal Brunei Airlines mechanic, Maual bin Jambu, 44, his 37-year-old school teacher wife and their adopted daughter Neena Asmira, aged two who smothered with a pillow. Her parents were beaten to death.

Prosecution is led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Haji Yusree and assisted by DPP Pengiran Nina Jasmine.

Awang Yusof Halim and Siva Sankaran are defending.

Chief Justice Dato Mohd Saied and Dato Judge Steven Chong are hearing the case.

The defence subpoenaed Dr Teo to give evidence when they could not serve summons on her father to appear as material witness.

Apparently peeved that she had been summoned to court Dr Teo lodged a complaint to the High Court during the proceedings.

She asked: “Can I say something? I am concerned as I have been subpoenaed in this matter but the defence or the police had made no effort to contact me or my father whatsoever.

But there was evidence adduced in court that Defence Counsel Siva Sankaran had on an earlier occasion informed court that he had gone to RIPAS with his secretary and met with Dr Teo who asked them to wait.

After an hour’s wait and upon enquiry lawyer Siva Sankaran was told that Dr Teo had left via a different exit.

Lawyer Siva also informed court that he had waited at Teo Ah Hoon’s house in Jalan Muara and nobody opened the gate.

There were also posers by the defence as to what happened to the border stop order which the police assured defence had been placed on Teo Ah Hoon?

Why did Dr Teo say that the police had made no effort to contact her father when the police said that they were not able to find out where he is?

How did she know that the police and defence had not made any effort to contact her father when she said in evidence that she does not even know where her father is currently?

Chief Justice: Where is your father now?

Dr Teo: He is abroad on holiday. He is returning to Brunei on Thursday.

CJ: Next Thursday?

Dr Teo: This Thursday, 19.10.06

CJ: When did he leave?

Dr Teo: I don’t know because I was away and when I came back from abroad he had already left

CJ: You say you were away, when did you leave?

Dr Teo: I was away on the Monday, I think, 25th September 2006.

CJ: When did you come back?

Dr Teo: I came back on 4th October.

CJ: Where did your father leave for?

Dr Teo: I only know that he left for one of the ASEAN countries.

CJ: Does he have a handphone?

Dr Teo: Yes, the police has his number, Richard has his number. Have you tried calling him?

CJ: Just answer the question.

Dr Teo: I will try. 8643930

CJ: What about a house phone?

Dr Teo: 2333595

CJ: Where does he stay?

Dr Teo: He has two houses, one along Jalan Muara and one in KB.

CJ: The other where?

Dr Teo: In Kuala Belait.

Counsel Mohamed Yousof Halim (MYH): What is the phone number for the house in KB?

Dr Teo: I’m not sure, at a guess it’s 2335254 but I’m not sure about that.

MYH: Is there any way you can confirm that number?

Dr Teo: I can confirm with my cousin. Shall I call now?

With the court’s permission. Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to have a short break.

Mr Justice Steven Chong: Continue with your examination and we will have a break after.

MYH: Very well my lord. When is your father likely to be back?

Dr Teo: As is said earlier on the 19th this Thursday.

MYH: At what time?

Dr Teo: I’m not sure.

MYH: Who can we call?

Dr Teo: My cousin.

MYH: What’s your cousin’s number?

Dr Teo: 8876889

MYH: What is your cousin’s name?

Dr Teo: Dr. Lim Kim Hong

MYH: Male or female?

Dr Teo: Female.

MYH: Who stays with him?

Dr Teo: My mother. He has two addresses. In Jalan Muara with my mother. In KB would be with my grandmother and auntie.

MYH: Is your mother working?

Dr Teo: She’s retired.

MYH: So she’s home all the time?

Dr Teo: She has shopping and other activities but most of the time yes.

MYH: Are you able to confirm the number of the house in KB?

Dr Teo: Yes, 3335254

MYH: Are you able to confirm the flight.

Dr Teo: His original flight is 27th October but because of this he is returning home earlier than scheduled on the 19th October.

CJ: Earlier than originally planned yes?

Dr Teo: Yes.

CJ: What time is his flight

Dr Teo: It arrives at 7.45 I don’t know the flight number.

CJ: From where?

Dr Teo: I didn’t know you wanted the flight details.

CJ: 7.45 am?

Dr Teo: No 7.45 pm.

MYH: The Defendant gave 2 further names for his alibi when giving evidence. We have contacted them and one of them has some recollection of this event.

We have given a further notice of alibi of this witness who is Supt. Hj Murad. The notice was served on the prosecution on 3rd October. We had also furnished the prosecution with a s 117B statement of Supt. Hj. Murad.

Pursuant to s 117A of the CPC we need to have leave of court to call further alibi witnesses. We have asked the prosecution on this and they have stated that they have no objection. We therefore formally ask the leave of this court to adduce the evidence of Supt. Hj Murad.

Hearing continures  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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