Bandar Seri Begawan - The first witness in the 'death in custody' case was called in again yesterday to testify against four police officers - inspector Hj Azwan Dato Paduka Seri Haji Abdul Rahman, L/CpI 3567 Sofian Jumat, PC 4482 Andrew Anak Adin and PC 4488 Pg Asmanuddin Pg Hj Md Said - who are facing charges of causing the death of 45-year-old Muslim convert Abdul Rahim Abdullah @ Tan Hong Hock in January 2009.

The credibility of the witness, Mohd Saiful, was called into question where the defence counsel took note of his difficulty in remembering events due to a blood clot in his brain caused by a bicycle accident. The witness admitted that he continues to experience dizziness and headaches from time to time.

According to the defence counsel, during the last hearing, Mohd Saiful stated that the accident occurred after January 2009. However, when asked whether this statement was true, he said he was "confused due to dizziness and headaches" during the time of cross-examination.

The defence counsel then stated that the accident, in fact, occurred in 2005. To further clarify, the defence counsel asked again whether the wrong answer was given due to dizziness to which the witness said, "Yes". Mohd Saiful stated that the only ones who knew about his condition were his family members.

This, according to the defence counsel, meant that other individuals who were not aware of the condition would not know whether Mohd Saiful was being truthful with his answers, as others may not be able tell whether he was experiencing dizziness.

The defence counsel then asked whether the statement made by Mohd Saiful to the police was made in truth, as it would be likely that he had given wrong answers due to his condition. Mohd Saiful admitted that he had taken medication prior to giving his statement.

However, he was asked again the reason why his statement was not similar to what he had mentioned in court with regards to a theft case. In response, the witness said it was because of a number of reasons including a "dizziness attack" and that he was "under pressure". However, he insisted that he was truthful during the death in custody investigation.

Referring back to the theft case, Mohd Saiful said he informed the police that he had pawned the stolen goods to a jewellery shop in Bandar Seri Begawan. However, when the police investigated, the goldsmith of the jewellery shop said that the witness did not hand him anything.

When asked by the defence counsel whether the goldsmith was correct, Mohd Saiful agreed. Meanwhile, the police questioned the goldsmith of another jewellery shop, where Mohd Saiful claimed he had pawned off the stolen goods. However, the goldsmith told the police that the witness did not hand him anything.

When asked whether the goldsmith was correct, the witness again agreed. When asked by the defence counsel whether his condition was the reason behind the misinformation, the witness agreed that he had a "dizziness experience" when he informed the police regarding the goldsmiths.

The defence counsel then asked whether Mohd Saiful remembered being brought to court on January 22, 2010. In response, the witness said it was because of a number of reasons including a "dizziness attack" and that he was "under pressure". However, he insisted that he was truthful during the death in custody investigation.

Referring back to the theft case, Mohd Saiful said he informed the police that he had pawned the stolen goods to a jewellery shop in Bandar Seri Begawan. However, when the police investigated, the goldsmith of the jewellery shop said that the witness did not hand him anything.

When asked by the defence counsel whether the goldsmith was correct, Mohd Saiful agreed. Meanwhile, the police questioned the goldsmith of another jewellery shop, where Mohd Saiful claimed he had pawned off the stolen goods. However, the goldsmith told the police that the witness did not hand him anything.

When asked whether the goldsmith was correct, the witness again agreed. When asked by the defence counsel whether his condition was the reason behind the misinformation, the witness agreed that he had a "dizziness experience" when he informed the police regarding the goldsmiths.

The defence counsel then asked whether Mohd Saiful remembered being brought to court on January 22, 2010. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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