Kit Siang: Teoh family rejects Cabinet decision and demands comprehensive RCI into TBH's death

Najib is Malaysia’s David Copperfield – creating the illusion of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh’s death when there isn’t one

I have come to Alor Gajah for the media conference by the family of Teoh Beng Huat who has just announced that they reject the Cabinet decision yesterday on the mysterious death of Teoh Beng Hock, who went to the MACC Hqrs as a healthy, vigorous and idealistic political worker but ended up as a corpse.

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Cabinet Ministers seem to be Malaysia’s David Copperfields, creating the illusion of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) in Teoh’s death when actually there is none.

Like Teoh’s family members, I had at first welcomed the Cabinet decision when there was at first news that it had decided on a RCI on Teoh’s death but when the details of the Cabinet decision became known, we were all dumb-founded, shocked and outraged.

What is the use having two inquiries, with an inquest into Teoh’s death but a Royal Commission of Inquiry strictly prevented from delving into the causes of Teoh death but only to probe into the MACC’s investigative techniques?

I support the Teoh family’s stand to reject the Cabinet decision as it does not represent what is wanted by the family and the people – a RCI into the causes of Teoh’s unusual death.

The Teoh family has called on Najib to respect their wishes and those of the Malaysian public for a comprehensive Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh’s death and to alter the Cabinet decision accordingly.

Najib has said that he wants “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” about the causes of Teoh’s death, and if he serious and sincere, let him accede to the wishes of the Teoh family to have a comprehensive RCI into Teoh’s death.

Najib said he would meet with the Teoh family after the outcome of the inquest into Teoh’s death and the Royal Commission of Inquiry. What is the use of meeting the Teoh family when the damage had been done.

Najib should meet with the Teoh family to hear their wishes for a comprehensive Royal Commission of Inquiry.

I will write to Najib conveying the Teoh family’s request for a meeting with Najib and I am prepared to accompany the Teoh family to a meeting with Najib.


Lim Kit Siang
DAP Parliamentary Leader and MP for Ipoh Timor
23rd July 2009