Political aide Teoh Beng Hock was not the type of person who would take his own life.
His colleague Mandy Ooi Haw Voon told the Royal Commission of Inquiry that Teoh was a strong person who would confront any person for any wrong-doing.
"He had no enemies, was not in debt and he never had a big quarrel with anyone," she said when questioned by conducting officer Awang Ardamadajaya Awang Mahmud.
"Teoh was planning to get married on Oct 3 and had even told me to keep July 29 free to go for food tasting at Legend Hotel (where his wedding reception was supposed to be held)."
She said he told her that he planned to resign after his marriage to school teacher Soh Cher Wei so he can spend more time with his family.
"He is not the type who would break down when dealing with accusations as most were not true and were merely political attacks," said Ooi.
"If there is a crisis, he would call me to confide and then he would be okay."
When questioned by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) lawyer Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Ooi said Teoh was a person who would show his emotions and talk about his problems.
"When he is upset, he would eat and then he would be fine," she said, adding that he did not smoke or drink.
Shafee: Did you expect Teoh to have got his girlfriend pregnant before marriage?
Ooi: It is unfair to testify about it because he is dead. I can't answer that question.
Teoh, was found dead on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam on July 16, 2009, a day before he was taken in for questioning by the MACC over the alleged misappropriation of state funds. At that time, Teoh was the political aide to Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah.
Ooi, who is a secretary to Selangor state executive councillor Teresa Kok, said she knew Teoh since she began working with Kok in May 2008.
Her office was located on the third floor of the Selangor state secretariat building while Teoh's was on the 15th floor. They would meet up for breakfast every morning.
"He's a responsible, hardworking, cheerful and helpful person. When we face difficulties at work, he would stand up for all of us," she said.
"He would grumble but would always make sure that the job was done."
When asked by commission chairman Tan Sri James Foong Cheng Yuen whether it was normal for DAP to give advance payments to contractors for government projects, Ooi said: "No. For my boss, she prefers to use her own money to give out advance payments first.
"I do not sign documents on behalf of my boss and the ultimate decision over programmes lies in her hands. She (Kok) would approve and sign the forms."
(Previously, witnesses had said Teoh had signed on Ean Yong's behalf and had said DAP Serdang Aman would give out advance payments to contractors for government projects).
Ooi said it was not easy to do any "hanky-panky" in approving these as there were many people watching.
Foong: What happens if you are betrayed?
Ooi: I would confront my boss.
She also said Teoh was a "leader" and was very patient when dealing with the public's complaints.
When asked by panel member Prof Dr Mohamed Hatta Shaharom if Teoh was unhappy with his boss, Ooi said no.
Meanwhile, an associate professor from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Sallehuddin Muhamad, who is a mechanical engineer, also took the stand.
Sallehuddin, who has an area of interest in aircraft accident investigation, conducted a visibility test on how Teoh could have fallen to his death from the 14th floor window.
"Assuming that Teoh was pushed, the person who pushed him would also have been in danger of falling from the window," he said when questioned by Bar Council lawyer Christopher Leong.
He also agreed with Leong's suggestion that the body could have been placed on the fifth floor corridor where the body was found.
The witness, however, admitted that he was not a forensic expert and was not qualified to give his opinion whether Teoh's death was homicide or suicide. He said this was his first time conducting a simulation of a person falling from height.
Inquiry continues today.
