By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
SHAH ALAM, March 1 — Sungai Buloh hospital chief pathologist Dr. Shahidan Md. Noor today agreed with lawyers Gobind Singh Deo and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar that it is possible that that neck injuries sustained by Teoh Beng Hock might have been caused by strangulation.
He, however, affirmed in court that it was not likely that the strangulation killed him and that his fall was the cause of death.
“He (Dr. Shahidan) agreed that the injuries to the front part of the neck might have not been connected to the injuries of the fall. It’s open to argue that it could be a pre-fall injury,” said Malik, who is the lawyer for the Selangor state government.
Teoh, a Selangor government political secretary, was found dead last July 16 at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Selangor office after an overnight interrogation.
Malik explained to reporters that the injuries to the throat muscle could have been caused by choking or strangulation.
He said that there were three main injuries to the neck, and that the cause of the first two injuries were different from the third injury, which affected the spinal area.
“It has now been accepted that the first two injuries to the neck muscles were separate injuries than the deeper muscle.”
Earlier in the coroner’s court, counsel for Teoh’s family Gobind Singh Deo went all out to establish doubt over the findings of the first post-mortem report by Dr Khairul Azman Hj Ibrahim and Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar.
The fiery lawyer argued that the report was “insufficient” as no tests were done to examine the marks around the neck, something which should have been “standard procedure” in cases of custodial death.
“There was no dissection done on material parts, most important the injuries to the neck. The two important things to look for are not in the first report.
“No dissections were done in the first report as you have conducted in the second post-mortem,” said Gobind.
While Dr. Shahidan agreed that the report lacked details of the investigations the neck abrasions, and concurred with Gobind that it was strange that these marks were not in the first post-mortem report, he stopped short at agreeing with Gobind’s suggestion that the report was insufficient and “utterly incompetent.”
Dr. Shahidan moved to defend the findings of the first report, despite being open to the possibility that it was evidence of strangulation.
“The superficial injuries on the neck would have only been evident after 24 hours, that’s why they couldn’t see the marks. The signs of asphyxia were not apparent on Teoh Beng Hock’s neck,” said the pathologist.
“Does the report reflect dissection was done?” asked Gobind.
Dr. Shahidan says it was done, but not recorded, which led Gobind to accuse him of going out of the way to defend the first report.
At the beginning of the inquest today, the doctor had explained that the signs to look for in cases of custodial death are pressure marks around neck, signs of beating, internal injuries which are not consistent with input given by the officer in charge of the supposed detainee.
“If it weren’t for Dr. Pornthip’s testimony, we would not know about the cause of injuries to the neck of the deceased. Now, there is a possibility that Teoh Beng Hock was strangled on the 14th floor of the MACC. Now I didn’t say strangled to death, I said strangled. These are material facts to be considered in this case.”
“Teoh was actually tortured before fall, there are marks which prove it.”
Shahidan: “It’s possible but not probable.”
Gobind: “I see... then again you wouldn’t say anything bad about the first report would you?”
Dr Shahidan’s agreement of the possibility of strangulation seemingly contradicts his own report which rules out manual strangulation although there was evidence of bruises on and contusions to Teoh’s neck.
Teoh, a Selangor government political secretary, was found dead last July 16 at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Selangor office after an overnight interrogation.
The court has fixed March 10 for the cross-examination of Dr. Shahidan to continue and also to call on Kajang councillor Tan Boon Wah to take the witness stand.
Read more!
Showing posts with label The Malaysian Insider. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Malaysian Insider. Show all posts
Monday, March 1, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Teoh’s ‘wife’ delivers baby boy
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 — Soh Cher Wei (picture), the 28-year-old teacher who was engaged to be married to Teoh Beng Hock, gave birth to a baby boy by Caesarian section, a source close to the family told The Malaysian Insider.
She was earlier taken to the Hospital Batu Pahat at 9am.
“He looks like his mum, got fair skin,” Teoh Lee Lan, younger sister to the late Selangor political aide, told The Malaysian Insider this afternoon.
She declined to disclose the time of birth for privacy and only said he was born in the morning and weighs about 3kg. She added that Soh is not able to leave the hospital just yet.
Lee Lan, 29, said the family had not had a chance to cuddle the newly-born baby who has yet to receive his name.
“We are happy as both of them are healthy and normal...We hope his birth can bring good news got his father’s case, justice for Beng Hock.
“We hope he can bring happiness and hope to his mum and both families,” Lee Lan spoke on behalf of the Sohs and Teohs.
“We hope he can grow up safely and have a normal life,” she said and blessed him with peace and health.
Soh was inducted into the Teoh family according to traditional Chinese rites last October, and was two months pregnant when her fiancé was found dead.
The couple was scheduled to register their marriage last July 17, which was dashed following Teoh’s untimely death.
The 30-year-old political secretary to Selangor executive councillor, Ean Yong Hian Wah, had been questioned overnight by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating claims his boss had misused state funds.
His body was found sprawled on a 5th-floor corridor outside the MACC office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam the next day. The mysterious circumstances surrounding his death are still being investigated by the coroner’s court.
Read more!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Pathologist says no evidence Beng Hock was strangled
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 — A government pathologist who performed the second post-mortem on Teoh Beng Hock last November, told the inquest into his death today that the DAP aide died from a fall, and also disputed Dr Porntip Rojanasunan’s conclusion that he had been strangled or had his anus penetrated before he fell.
Sungai Buloh Hospital Pathology Unit head Dr Shahidan Md Noor, also said that he agreed with the findings of the first post-mortem which was carried out by Dr Khairul Azman Hj Ibrahim and Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar.
“I think that Dr Khairul and Dr Prashant had executed their tasks very well. It is difficult to find a report as good as that. I agree with their opinions,” said Dr Shahidan.
The post-mortem examination report submitted by Hospital Sungai Buloh attributed the cause of death to “multiple injuries due to a fall from height.”
Dr Shahidan informed the coroner’s court that although there was evidence of bruises and contusion on the neck of the deceased, there were no signs of asphyxia or fracture of the thyroid cartilage.
The doctor’s opinion was that the bruises on Teoh’s neck was not a result of manual strangulation.
He disputed the testimony of Dr Porntip, who was brought in last year by the Selangor state government to offer her expertise.
“I disagree with Dr Porntip. When strangulation takes place, the pressure from the hands on the neck would be different, and would be more consistent on the area of the neck,” when questioned by lead counsel for the Attorney-General chambers Tan Hock Chuan on why he disagreed with the Thai pathologist.
The pathologist from Hospital Sungai Buloh also disputed the foreign pathologist’s take on the injuries on Teoh’s anus and thigh area, maintaining that the injuries were a direct result from the fall.
Dr Porntip had testified on Oct 21 last year that the injuries on Teoh’s anus had been caused by an insertion of a foreign object, and that the injury was not consistent with the fall from height.
Similarly, she also suggested that the abrasions on Teoh’s thigh was likely caused by beating using a piece of wood.
“I think that the anal injury was a part of the fall, as the patterns of injury suggest so. If it had happened prior to the fall, the injuries sustained by Teoh Beng Hock would have been different,” said Dr Shahidan.
He stressed that if Teoh had been assaulted the way Dr Porntip had suggested, the anal injuries would have been more severe.
“The abrasions on the thigh does not suggest a beating but it suggests a process that can only be a result of an injury caused by a fall,” he added.
Excerpts of the conclusion of the post-mortem examination report by Dr Shahidan read out as follows:
“The second examination performed showed that the deceased sustained multiple injuries consistent with that of a fall from a certain height. There were also injuries on the neck which most likely were formed or produced by the impact of the fall. The pattern and severity of them were in keeping with the incident of event.”
Lead counsel for the deceased’s family, Gobind Singh Deo then requested for more time to view the notes taken today with regards to Dr Shahidan’s opinion on Dr Porntip’s testimony.
Magistrate Azmil Muntapha Abbas then fixed March 1 for Gobind’s cross-examination of Dr Shahidan.
Besides that, an additional date of March 10 was also fixed should the cross-examination take up more than a day. After the cross-examination is completed, Kajang councillor Tan Boon Hua will be called to testify.
Read more!
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 — A government pathologist who performed the second post-mortem on Teoh Beng Hock last November, told the inquest into his death today that the DAP aide died from a fall, and also disputed Dr Porntip Rojanasunan’s conclusion that he had been strangled or had his anus penetrated before he fell.
Sungai Buloh Hospital Pathology Unit head Dr Shahidan Md Noor, also said that he agreed with the findings of the first post-mortem which was carried out by Dr Khairul Azman Hj Ibrahim and Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar.
“I think that Dr Khairul and Dr Prashant had executed their tasks very well. It is difficult to find a report as good as that. I agree with their opinions,” said Dr Shahidan.
The post-mortem examination report submitted by Hospital Sungai Buloh attributed the cause of death to “multiple injuries due to a fall from height.”
Dr Shahidan informed the coroner’s court that although there was evidence of bruises and contusion on the neck of the deceased, there were no signs of asphyxia or fracture of the thyroid cartilage.
The doctor’s opinion was that the bruises on Teoh’s neck was not a result of manual strangulation.
He disputed the testimony of Dr Porntip, who was brought in last year by the Selangor state government to offer her expertise.
“I disagree with Dr Porntip. When strangulation takes place, the pressure from the hands on the neck would be different, and would be more consistent on the area of the neck,” when questioned by lead counsel for the Attorney-General chambers Tan Hock Chuan on why he disagreed with the Thai pathologist.
The pathologist from Hospital Sungai Buloh also disputed the foreign pathologist’s take on the injuries on Teoh’s anus and thigh area, maintaining that the injuries were a direct result from the fall.
Dr Porntip had testified on Oct 21 last year that the injuries on Teoh’s anus had been caused by an insertion of a foreign object, and that the injury was not consistent with the fall from height.
Similarly, she also suggested that the abrasions on Teoh’s thigh was likely caused by beating using a piece of wood.
“I think that the anal injury was a part of the fall, as the patterns of injury suggest so. If it had happened prior to the fall, the injuries sustained by Teoh Beng Hock would have been different,” said Dr Shahidan.
He stressed that if Teoh had been assaulted the way Dr Porntip had suggested, the anal injuries would have been more severe.
“The abrasions on the thigh does not suggest a beating but it suggests a process that can only be a result of an injury caused by a fall,” he added.
Excerpts of the conclusion of the post-mortem examination report by Dr Shahidan read out as follows:
“The second examination performed showed that the deceased sustained multiple injuries consistent with that of a fall from a certain height. There were also injuries on the neck which most likely were formed or produced by the impact of the fall. The pattern and severity of them were in keeping with the incident of event.”
Lead counsel for the deceased’s family, Gobind Singh Deo then requested for more time to view the notes taken today with regards to Dr Shahidan’s opinion on Dr Porntip’s testimony.
Magistrate Azmil Muntapha Abbas then fixed March 1 for Gobind’s cross-examination of Dr Shahidan.
Besides that, an additional date of March 10 was also fixed should the cross-examination take up more than a day. After the cross-examination is completed, Kajang councillor Tan Boon Hua will be called to testify.
Read more!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Beng Hock’s family to cite MACC officer for contempt
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 — The family of Teoh Beng Hock will apply today to commit a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer for contempt of court for lodging a police report against Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand.
Family lawyer Karpal Singh said today in a statement that the application will be made against MACC officer Raub Ghani at the Shah Alam magistrate’s court.
“To our minds this is criminal intimidation and a threat to a witness,” Karpal told reporters after filing the papers in the court here.
He said the court should also direct the AG to take action against the same officer under Section 5 of the Abduction and Criminal Intimidation of Witnesses Act 1947which is punishable with 10 years imprisonment and fine.
On Jan 1 two MACC officers lodged police reports against the “Suara Keadilan” tabloid and pathologist Dr Pornthip over an article which confirmed as murder the death of Selangor political aide Teoh who had been questioned by the MACC.
The officers from the Putrajaya MACC investigation branch, made the reports at the Shah Alam district police headquarters here.
They said in their report that they had read the article in the newspaper, dated Dec 29, 2009 to Jan 5 2010, and found that the article concluded that Teoh, a political aide to a Selangor state executive councillor, had been murdered.
They said in the report that, according to the article, Teoh, who was found dead on the fifth floor of the Plaza Masalam building on July 16 last year, was confirmed to have been murdered based on the second post mortem conducted on the body at the Sungai Buloh Hospital on Nov 22 last year.
The two men claimed the report marred the MACC’s image.
Lawyers for Teoh’s family have slammed the police report lodged against Dr Pornthip, saying it could affect the ongoing inquest investigating his mysterious death.
Gobind Singh Deo and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, representing his employer, the Selangor government, had reportedly said that the two MACC officers had the right to lodge reports but these must have an adequate foundation.
Gobind said it was absurd for the MACC officers to lodge a report against the forensic expert based on the article that quoted anonymous sources.
He said the police report may affect the ongoing inquest as Dr Pornthip may feel intimidated by the police probe and not turn up for the inquest.
The affidavit signed by Teoh’s elder brother, Meng Kee, was filed at the Shah Alam Magistrate court this afternoon.
Karpal pointed out that Dr Pornthip was a crucial witness and should be allowed to give evidence without fear and added that “no obstacle should be put in her way.”
“I call on the new MACC chief Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed to ensure his officers abide by the law,” the veteran lawyer said.
He added the case had attracted international attention and the entire Malaysian justice system was under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo said he hoped the AG would support their application.
“We have come this far and we don’t need this sort of intimidation,” he told reporters.
He added that the application to cite the MACC officer for contempt would be brought to the attention of the magistrate on Thursday when the inquest is scheduled for a mention for all parties to inform the court whether the second post-mortem report is ready.
Besides the reports lodged against Suara Keadilan and Dr Pornthip, the police are also investigating, for sedition, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over his recent remarks that Teoh had been murdered.
Police today also questioned Selangor DAP chief Ean Yong Hian Wah for allegedly intimidating the police to stop harassing party leader Lim over the Teoh case.
Read more!
Family lawyer Karpal Singh said today in a statement that the application will be made against MACC officer Raub Ghani at the Shah Alam magistrate’s court.
“To our minds this is criminal intimidation and a threat to a witness,” Karpal told reporters after filing the papers in the court here.
He said the court should also direct the AG to take action against the same officer under Section 5 of the Abduction and Criminal Intimidation of Witnesses Act 1947which is punishable with 10 years imprisonment and fine.
On Jan 1 two MACC officers lodged police reports against the “Suara Keadilan” tabloid and pathologist Dr Pornthip over an article which confirmed as murder the death of Selangor political aide Teoh who had been questioned by the MACC.
The officers from the Putrajaya MACC investigation branch, made the reports at the Shah Alam district police headquarters here.
They said in their report that they had read the article in the newspaper, dated Dec 29, 2009 to Jan 5 2010, and found that the article concluded that Teoh, a political aide to a Selangor state executive councillor, had been murdered.
They said in the report that, according to the article, Teoh, who was found dead on the fifth floor of the Plaza Masalam building on July 16 last year, was confirmed to have been murdered based on the second post mortem conducted on the body at the Sungai Buloh Hospital on Nov 22 last year.
The two men claimed the report marred the MACC’s image.
Lawyers for Teoh’s family have slammed the police report lodged against Dr Pornthip, saying it could affect the ongoing inquest investigating his mysterious death.
Gobind Singh Deo and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, representing his employer, the Selangor government, had reportedly said that the two MACC officers had the right to lodge reports but these must have an adequate foundation.
Gobind said it was absurd for the MACC officers to lodge a report against the forensic expert based on the article that quoted anonymous sources.
He said the police report may affect the ongoing inquest as Dr Pornthip may feel intimidated by the police probe and not turn up for the inquest.
The affidavit signed by Teoh’s elder brother, Meng Kee, was filed at the Shah Alam Magistrate court this afternoon.
Karpal pointed out that Dr Pornthip was a crucial witness and should be allowed to give evidence without fear and added that “no obstacle should be put in her way.”
“I call on the new MACC chief Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed to ensure his officers abide by the law,” the veteran lawyer said.
He added the case had attracted international attention and the entire Malaysian justice system was under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo said he hoped the AG would support their application.
“We have come this far and we don’t need this sort of intimidation,” he told reporters.
He added that the application to cite the MACC officer for contempt would be brought to the attention of the magistrate on Thursday when the inquest is scheduled for a mention for all parties to inform the court whether the second post-mortem report is ready.
Besides the reports lodged against Suara Keadilan and Dr Pornthip, the police are also investigating, for sedition, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over his recent remarks that Teoh had been murdered.
Police today also questioned Selangor DAP chief Ean Yong Hian Wah for allegedly intimidating the police to stop harassing party leader Lim over the Teoh case.
Read more!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
‘Housewarming’ Round 2 for Teoh
By Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — The family of Teoh Beng Hock will hold a special ceremony tomorrow at 9am to restore his tombstone over his grave.
The dead political aide, who is interred at the Nirvana Memorial Garden in Semenyih, was exhumed for a second autopsy and reburied a month ago.
Teoh's younger sister Lee Lan told The Malaysian Insider today that the ceremony was delayed to tomorrow on the advice of a fengshui expert.
“I don't know. You better ask the master,” 29-year-old Lee Lan said hesitantly when quizzed on the reason behind the delay.
The traditional ceremony is known in Chinese as “yuan fen” and is similar to the English custom to “warm” a new house, but for the dead.
Five types of beans were strewn over his grave and a yam plant planted to signify future prosperity for his offspring when the family held the ceremony to commemorate the 100th day of his passing on Nov 10.
Teoh, 30, was to have married his pregnant sweetheart on July 16, but was found dead the same day, outside the national anti-corruption commission's Selangor office in Shah Alam.
Foul play was suspected.
Famed Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, who was consulted by Teoh's employer, the Selamgor state government, opined that his death was likely the result of homicide.
An inquest commenced the same month. It will resume tomorrow at the coroner's court in Shah Alam.
The second autopsy report by Hospital Sungai Buloh's chief pathologist Dr Shahidan Md Noor is expected to be produced.
“We will go after the ceremony,” Lee Lan said, when asked if the family would attend the inquest.
But checks with lawyers acting for the family and the state failed to turn up anything.
“Not yet received any reports,” Sreekant Pillai, one of the lawyers for the state said in a text message to The Malaysian Insider.
Read more!
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — The family of Teoh Beng Hock will hold a special ceremony tomorrow at 9am to restore his tombstone over his grave.
The dead political aide, who is interred at the Nirvana Memorial Garden in Semenyih, was exhumed for a second autopsy and reburied a month ago.
Teoh's younger sister Lee Lan told The Malaysian Insider today that the ceremony was delayed to tomorrow on the advice of a fengshui expert.
“I don't know. You better ask the master,” 29-year-old Lee Lan said hesitantly when quizzed on the reason behind the delay.
The traditional ceremony is known in Chinese as “yuan fen” and is similar to the English custom to “warm” a new house, but for the dead.
Five types of beans were strewn over his grave and a yam plant planted to signify future prosperity for his offspring when the family held the ceremony to commemorate the 100th day of his passing on Nov 10.
Teoh, 30, was to have married his pregnant sweetheart on July 16, but was found dead the same day, outside the national anti-corruption commission's Selangor office in Shah Alam.
Foul play was suspected.
Famed Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, who was consulted by Teoh's employer, the Selamgor state government, opined that his death was likely the result of homicide.
An inquest commenced the same month. It will resume tomorrow at the coroner's court in Shah Alam.
The second autopsy report by Hospital Sungai Buloh's chief pathologist Dr Shahidan Md Noor is expected to be produced.
“We will go after the ceremony,” Lee Lan said, when asked if the family would attend the inquest.
But checks with lawyers acting for the family and the state failed to turn up anything.
“Not yet received any reports,” Sreekant Pillai, one of the lawyers for the state said in a text message to The Malaysian Insider.
Read more!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Teoh Beng Hock buried... again
By Neville Spykerman
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 —Teoh Beng Hock was laid to rest again after Buddhist rituals were performed. His brother and sister were at the grave site while his parents stood afar, in accordance with Chinese beliefs that parents do not attend the burial of their children.
DAP’s Lim Kit Siang was also at the Nirvana Memorial Park, along with Teoh’s former boss Selangor exco Ean Yong Hian Wah, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and former DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock.
Teoh’s casket arrived from the Sungei Buloh hospital at about 9.50am. Dozens of reporters and photographers were at the scene, along with several uniformed and plainclothes policemen.
A bed of white carnations was placed on top of his grave after the burial and his gravestone was put back into place.
His favourite food, including local kuih prepared by his wife’s aunt, was also placed at the foot of his grave.
Teoh’s pregnant wife Soh Cher Wei, 28 did not attend his reburial but her mother and aunt were with his parents.
“My family is a little relieved now that he has been reburied,” said 29-year-old Lee Lan, Teoh’s younger sister.
“We hope those who killed him will be found and that there will be justice for him,” she said.
Lee Lan also expressed her thanks to the public, the management of the cemetery and Kerk for their help and support.
Teoh was found dead on the fifth floor landing at Plaza Masalam on July 16, after being questioned by the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at their Selangor Headquarters on the 14th floor.
His body was exhumed on Saturday for a second post-mortem to help an inquest set up by the government to determine if there was any foul play surrounding his death, which was classified as suicide by the police.
Ean Yong who also spoke to the press said no one can understand the family’s pain.
“All this effort is for one purpose, to find out the truth surrounding his death.
“The world will judge the prime minister by his 1 Malaysia message, we will see if he can walk his talk,” said Ean.
Read more!
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 —Teoh Beng Hock was laid to rest again after Buddhist rituals were performed. His brother and sister were at the grave site while his parents stood afar, in accordance with Chinese beliefs that parents do not attend the burial of their children.DAP’s Lim Kit Siang was also at the Nirvana Memorial Park, along with Teoh’s former boss Selangor exco Ean Yong Hian Wah, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and former DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock.
Teoh’s casket arrived from the Sungei Buloh hospital at about 9.50am. Dozens of reporters and photographers were at the scene, along with several uniformed and plainclothes policemen.
A bed of white carnations was placed on top of his grave after the burial and his gravestone was put back into place.
His favourite food, including local kuih prepared by his wife’s aunt, was also placed at the foot of his grave.
Teoh’s pregnant wife Soh Cher Wei, 28 did not attend his reburial but her mother and aunt were with his parents.
“My family is a little relieved now that he has been reburied,” said 29-year-old Lee Lan, Teoh’s younger sister.
“We hope those who killed him will be found and that there will be justice for him,” she said.
Lee Lan also expressed her thanks to the public, the management of the cemetery and Kerk for their help and support.
Teoh was found dead on the fifth floor landing at Plaza Masalam on July 16, after being questioned by the MalaysianAnti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at their Selangor Headquarters on the 14th floor.
His body was exhumed on Saturday for a second post-mortem to help an inquest set up by the government to determine if there was any foul play surrounding his death, which was classified as suicide by the police.
Ean Yong who also spoke to the press said no one can understand the family’s pain.
“All this effort is for one purpose, to find out the truth surrounding his death.
“The world will judge the prime minister by his 1 Malaysia message, we will see if he can walk his talk,” said Ean.
Read more!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Teoh family outraged at MACC chief's suicide theory
By Debra Chong
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 – As the inquest into the death of a Selangor government political aide drags on with no clear end in sight, his grieving family’s frustration is fast turning into fury.
This is especially over the latest reported remarks made by the chief commissioner of the national anti-graft body, which many believe to have had a hand in pushing him over the edge.
The family of the late Teoh Beng Hock denounced the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan for publicly insinuating that the 30-year-old political secretary had committed suicide because he “could not withstand the pressure”.
Teoh’s younger sister, Lee Lan noted that Ahmad Said had told Chinese-language daily, Sin Chew Daily, earlier this month that he had been informed of 10 cases of people jumping from buildings after being investigated by Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) since its set-up.
The MACC, formed in January this year, was modelled after the ICAC.
“He also said that if people investigated could not withstand the pressure and jumped from the building, there was nothing that they (MACC) could do,” Lee Lan told The Malaysian Insider, repeating her statement to reporters last Saturday after saying prayers for her brother at the Seck Kia Eenh Temple in Malacca.
“If the MACC continues to make irresponsible remarks which cannot be substantiated with proof, we are prepared to go and see the Prime Minister again to urge him to immediately set up a comprehensive Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate into Beng Hock’s cause of death,” she added, speaking for the rest of her family.
The family scored a meeting with Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his Putrajaya office on July 28.
“No stone will be left unturned in finding out the real cause of death and, if there is any foul play, action will definitely be taken,” the PM promised them then.
Lee Lan, who was the closest of three other siblings to Teoh, challenged Ahmad Said to answer three questions:
1. Who saw Beng Hock jump from [the] MACC building?
2. Beng Hock was classified as a witness in the investigation, what pressure would he have faced?
3. Will MACC’s interrogation method bring about pressure on the witness or suspect to cause them to jump to death?
Teoh was found dead outside the MACC’s Selangor office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam on July 16, the same day he was to register his marriage to his pregnant sweetheart.
He had been interrogated overnight by MACC investigators probing claims that his boss, first-term Selangor DAP state lawmaker and executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, had unlawfully dipped his fingers into state funds.
The inquest will resume tomorrow after a one week break.
Lee Lan, who was the closest of three other siblings to Teoh, challenged Ahmad Said to answer three questions:
1. Who saw Beng Hock jump from [the] MACC building?
2. Beng Hock was classified as a witness in the investigation, what pressure would he have faced?
3. Will MACC’s interrogation method bring about pressure on the witness or suspect to cause them to jump to death?
Teoh was found dead outside the MACC’s Selangor office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam on July 16, the same day he was to register his marriage to his pregnant sweetheart.
He had been interrogated overnight by MACC investigators probing claims that his boss, first-term Selangor DAP state lawmaker and executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, had unlawfully dipped his fingers into state funds.
The inquest will resume tomorrow after a one week break.
Read more!
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 – As the inquest into the death of a Selangor government political aide drags on with no clear end in sight, his grieving family’s frustration is fast turning into fury.
This is especially over the latest reported remarks made by the chief commissioner of the national anti-graft body, which many believe to have had a hand in pushing him over the edge.
The family of the late Teoh Beng Hock denounced the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan for publicly insinuating that the 30-year-old political secretary had committed suicide because he “could not withstand the pressure”.
Teoh’s younger sister, Lee Lan noted that Ahmad Said had told Chinese-language daily, Sin Chew Daily, earlier this month that he had been informed of 10 cases of people jumping from buildings after being investigated by Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) since its set-up.
The MACC, formed in January this year, was modelled after the ICAC.
“He also said that if people investigated could not withstand the pressure and jumped from the building, there was nothing that they (MACC) could do,” Lee Lan told The Malaysian Insider, repeating her statement to reporters last Saturday after saying prayers for her brother at the Seck Kia Eenh Temple in Malacca.
“If the MACC continues to make irresponsible remarks which cannot be substantiated with proof, we are prepared to go and see the Prime Minister again to urge him to immediately set up a comprehensive Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate into Beng Hock’s cause of death,” she added, speaking for the rest of her family.
The family scored a meeting with Datuk Seri Najib Razak in his Putrajaya office on July 28.
“No stone will be left unturned in finding out the real cause of death and, if there is any foul play, action will definitely be taken,” the PM promised them then.
Lee Lan, who was the closest of three other siblings to Teoh, challenged Ahmad Said to answer three questions:
1. Who saw Beng Hock jump from [the] MACC building?
2. Beng Hock was classified as a witness in the investigation, what pressure would he have faced?
3. Will MACC’s interrogation method bring about pressure on the witness or suspect to cause them to jump to death?
Teoh was found dead outside the MACC’s Selangor office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam on July 16, the same day he was to register his marriage to his pregnant sweetheart.
He had been interrogated overnight by MACC investigators probing claims that his boss, first-term Selangor DAP state lawmaker and executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, had unlawfully dipped his fingers into state funds.
The inquest will resume tomorrow after a one week break.
Lee Lan, who was the closest of three other siblings to Teoh, challenged Ahmad Said to answer three questions:
1. Who saw Beng Hock jump from [the] MACC building?
2. Beng Hock was classified as a witness in the investigation, what pressure would he have faced?
3. Will MACC’s interrogation method bring about pressure on the witness or suspect to cause them to jump to death?
Teoh was found dead outside the MACC’s Selangor office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam on July 16, the same day he was to register his marriage to his pregnant sweetheart.
He had been interrogated overnight by MACC investigators probing claims that his boss, first-term Selangor DAP state lawmaker and executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, had unlawfully dipped his fingers into state funds.
The inquest will resume tomorrow after a one week break.
Read more!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Pathologist under fire for DNA contamination theory
By Debra Chong
SHAH ALAM, Aug 17 — The government pathologist who last week suggested Teoh Beng Hock committed suicide came under fire from lawyers again today over his insistence that crucial DNA material to the inquest was contaminated on the autopsy table.
Dr Khairul Aznam Ibrahim, who had carried out the autopsy on the DAP political aide the day after he was found dead, had earlier testified that the unknown DNA profiles of at least two men found on Teoh's coat and belt were highly likely the result of “contamination” of the autopsy table at the Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) in Klang near here.
The lawyer for the Selangor government, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, seemed to find the senior medical forensic expert's theory incredulous, especially after the latter told the coroner's court today that he had was not even in the room when Teoh's clothes were removed.
He quizzed Dr Khairul if the hospital attendants who did it wore gloves.
Dr Khairul said they did.
Puzzled, Malik asked the pathologist to explain how the contamination could then have taken place.
“During removal, the plastic was taken out. During that process, it might have happened,” Dr Khairul replied, adding that the attendants could have placed the clothes on a contaminated table while photographing one by one the items removed from Teoh's body.
The lawyer did not buy the pathologist's theory and kept pressing him for certainty, referring him to a photograph of the belt, which showed it coiled and standing upright on its edges without the flat part, where swabs were later taken, touching the surface of the table.
Malik: You're not sure there was contamination?
Dr Khairul: I'm sure there was contamination.
Malik: Based on what? You're saying the hospital in Klang contaminated the exhibits? You were not involved in the removal of the clothing. So would you agree that you're speculating?
Dr Khairul: It could have happened that way.
Exasperated, the usually mild-mannered Malik blew up for the second time today.
“You're speculating! Only tell us what you know,” the lawyer cried.
“I'm wondering why you are taking steps to undermine the facts,” he asked.
In a tight voice, Malik asked the pathologist again if he knew, for a fact — here he paused, stressing the word — that the autopsy table was contaminated.
“I don't know,” Dr Khairul answered in a low voice.
At the onset of the inquest, the coroner was told by government DNA expert Dr Seah Lay Hong that she had found samples of foreign DNA on the back of Teoh's coat and on his belt, which belonged to at least two men, seeming to raise the public's suspicions of foul play.
She had run tests on 157 individuals, including 81 anti-graft officers believed to be from the investigation team quizzing Teoh over alleged misuse of state money, and failed to find a match to the DNA, which remains a mystery to today.
Read more!
SHAH ALAM, Aug 17 — The government pathologist who last week suggested Teoh Beng Hock committed suicide came under fire from lawyers again today over his insistence that crucial DNA material to the inquest was contaminated on the autopsy table.
Dr Khairul Aznam Ibrahim, who had carried out the autopsy on the DAP political aide the day after he was found dead, had earlier testified that the unknown DNA profiles of at least two men found on Teoh's coat and belt were highly likely the result of “contamination” of the autopsy table at the Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) in Klang near here.
The lawyer for the Selangor government, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, seemed to find the senior medical forensic expert's theory incredulous, especially after the latter told the coroner's court today that he had was not even in the room when Teoh's clothes were removed.
He quizzed Dr Khairul if the hospital attendants who did it wore gloves.
Dr Khairul said they did.
Puzzled, Malik asked the pathologist to explain how the contamination could then have taken place.
“During removal, the plastic was taken out. During that process, it might have happened,” Dr Khairul replied, adding that the attendants could have placed the clothes on a contaminated table while photographing one by one the items removed from Teoh's body.
The lawyer did not buy the pathologist's theory and kept pressing him for certainty, referring him to a photograph of the belt, which showed it coiled and standing upright on its edges without the flat part, where swabs were later taken, touching the surface of the table.
Malik: You're not sure there was contamination?
Dr Khairul: I'm sure there was contamination.
Malik: Based on what? You're saying the hospital in Klang contaminated the exhibits? You were not involved in the removal of the clothing. So would you agree that you're speculating?
Dr Khairul: It could have happened that way.
Exasperated, the usually mild-mannered Malik blew up for the second time today.
“You're speculating! Only tell us what you know,” the lawyer cried.
“I'm wondering why you are taking steps to undermine the facts,” he asked.
In a tight voice, Malik asked the pathologist again if he knew, for a fact — here he paused, stressing the word — that the autopsy table was contaminated.
“I don't know,” Dr Khairul answered in a low voice.
At the onset of the inquest, the coroner was told by government DNA expert Dr Seah Lay Hong that she had found samples of foreign DNA on the back of Teoh's coat and on his belt, which belonged to at least two men, seeming to raise the public's suspicions of foul play.
She had run tests on 157 individuals, including 81 anti-graft officers believed to be from the investigation team quizzing Teoh over alleged misuse of state money, and failed to find a match to the DNA, which remains a mystery to today.
Read more!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The bride wore black
By Debra Chong
ALOR GAJAH, Aug 15 – The cheeks of the young children were stained with chocolate as they munched on Pocky chocolate-coated sticks while weaving in and out of the many legs that crowded the tiny living room in Teoh Beng Hock's family home here late this morning. Their eyes rounded in wonder.
A table in front of the family altar was laden with cakes and other traditional delicacies, including several kinds of sticky fried sweets peculiar to the Hokkien community during weddings only.
But nobody moved to help themselves to the food. They were waiting.
Soh Cher Wei arrived with her parents and siblings at her late fiance's home close to 11am. Today marked the day she would be formally inducted into the Teoh family, even if her intended no longer stood by her side.
The primary school teacher got engaged to the political secretary to first-term DAP Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah while he was a reporter with a Chinese daily, after a two-year courtship.
Cher Wei, who recently transferred back to her family home in Batu Pahat, was met at the door by Beng Hock's mother, Teng Shuw Hor, 56, and handed a bundle of lit joss sticks, smelling faintly of sandalwood.
Both made their way barefooted to the porch where a small, roofed shrine stood in a corner. Hands clasping the joss sticks, they bowed their heads in respect of the sky god before planting a few into a pot inside.
They returned to the main altar where Cher Wei continued her obeisance to Beng Hock's ancestors and family deities even as a slow Buddhist song played on softly in the background.
The all-important tea ceremony that followed next was highly-charged.
Cher Wei, dressed in a thin, knitted white cardigan over a knee-length black dress, knelt down alone in front of Beng Hock's parents and offered them a cup of tea each.
They accepted with both hands, drained the bitter brew, and completed the Chinese custom welcoming their younger son's wife into the family by handing her the traditional red packet.
The tears that glittered as they slid down her thin, pale cheeks were the only adornment on her face as Cher Wei greeted her weeping new in-laws, especially when 29-year-old Teoh Lee Lan, Beng Hock's youngest sister, slipped a bright gold band onto the ring finger on her right hand, marking her new status.
The 28-year-old would have exchanged rings with Beng Hock himself on July 16 instead of through a proxy had things turned out differently.
As matters stand, Cher Wei who is in her first trimester, is still waiting for word from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on whether her unborn child will be allowed to bear the Teoh family name on the birth certificate.
In Malaysia, a newborn's father has to be physically present and produce the marriage certificate before his name can be recorded on the birth certificate. In the absence of one, the space for the father's name is left blank.
But with today's ceremony over, Beng Hock's sweetheart now holds the right to have her name engraved on his gravestone at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih as his wife in accordance to Chinese custom, said Kerk Kim Hock, a distant uncle related by marriage to the deceased.
Kerk, who was formerly DAP's secretary-general, was acting as spokesman for the still-grieving family.
Beng Hock and Cher Wei had originally planned to tie the knot on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, a very romantic date according to the Chinese calendar as it marks Mid-Autumn Festival Day, which falls on October 3 this year.
The ceremony was brought forward to today, coincidentally the 15th day of the eight month in the Western calendar, to accommodate cultural sensitivities.
The Chinese believe that the soul of a deceased person remains in the human plane for seven weeks before departing for the next world.
They also believe the soul will take this chance to send a last message to his beloved and his family through their dreams.
Tomorrow marks the fourth week exactly since Beng Hock's funeral. Yet no one in the family has dreamt of Beng Hock.
“We want to dream of him. But we are too sad,” said Lee Lan, bright-eyed with unshed tears.
Read more!
ALOR GAJAH, Aug 15 – The cheeks of the young children were stained with chocolate as they munched on Pocky chocolate-coated sticks while weaving in and out of the many legs that crowded the tiny living room in Teoh Beng Hock's family home here late this morning. Their eyes rounded in wonder.
A table in front of the family altar was laden with cakes and other traditional delicacies, including several kinds of sticky fried sweets peculiar to the Hokkien community during weddings only.
But nobody moved to help themselves to the food. They were waiting.
Soh Cher Wei arrived with her parents and siblings at her late fiance's home close to 11am. Today marked the day she would be formally inducted into the Teoh family, even if her intended no longer stood by her side.
The primary school teacher got engaged to the political secretary to first-term DAP Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah while he was a reporter with a Chinese daily, after a two-year courtship.
Cher Wei, who recently transferred back to her family home in Batu Pahat, was met at the door by Beng Hock's mother, Teng Shuw Hor, 56, and handed a bundle of lit joss sticks, smelling faintly of sandalwood.
Both made their way barefooted to the porch where a small, roofed shrine stood in a corner. Hands clasping the joss sticks, they bowed their heads in respect of the sky god before planting a few into a pot inside.
They returned to the main altar where Cher Wei continued her obeisance to Beng Hock's ancestors and family deities even as a slow Buddhist song played on softly in the background.
The all-important tea ceremony that followed next was highly-charged.
Cher Wei, dressed in a thin, knitted white cardigan over a knee-length black dress, knelt down alone in front of Beng Hock's parents and offered them a cup of tea each.
They accepted with both hands, drained the bitter brew, and completed the Chinese custom welcoming their younger son's wife into the family by handing her the traditional red packet.
The tears that glittered as they slid down her thin, pale cheeks were the only adornment on her face as Cher Wei greeted her weeping new in-laws, especially when 29-year-old Teoh Lee Lan, Beng Hock's youngest sister, slipped a bright gold band onto the ring finger on her right hand, marking her new status.
The 28-year-old would have exchanged rings with Beng Hock himself on July 16 instead of through a proxy had things turned out differently.
As matters stand, Cher Wei who is in her first trimester, is still waiting for word from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on whether her unborn child will be allowed to bear the Teoh family name on the birth certificate.
In Malaysia, a newborn's father has to be physically present and produce the marriage certificate before his name can be recorded on the birth certificate. In the absence of one, the space for the father's name is left blank.
But with today's ceremony over, Beng Hock's sweetheart now holds the right to have her name engraved on his gravestone at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih as his wife in accordance to Chinese custom, said Kerk Kim Hock, a distant uncle related by marriage to the deceased.
Kerk, who was formerly DAP's secretary-general, was acting as spokesman for the still-grieving family.
Beng Hock and Cher Wei had originally planned to tie the knot on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, a very romantic date according to the Chinese calendar as it marks Mid-Autumn Festival Day, which falls on October 3 this year.
The ceremony was brought forward to today, coincidentally the 15th day of the eight month in the Western calendar, to accommodate cultural sensitivities.
The Chinese believe that the soul of a deceased person remains in the human plane for seven weeks before departing for the next world.
They also believe the soul will take this chance to send a last message to his beloved and his family through their dreams.
Tomorrow marks the fourth week exactly since Beng Hock's funeral. Yet no one in the family has dreamt of Beng Hock.
“We want to dream of him. But we are too sad,” said Lee Lan, bright-eyed with unshed tears.
Read more!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Ku Li slams MACC, says witnesses shouldn’t end up in coffins
Tengku Razaleigh hit out at the MACC for ignoring major cases of graft. — Pictures by Jack OoiKUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Expressing concern that the recent death of Teoh Beng Hock is a sign that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has gone “rogue”, senior Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said that nothing should be spared in the effort to find out the reason behind the death of the DAP political aide.
Tengku Razaleigh also hit out at the MACC for investigating minor cases while ignoring major examples of graft.
He said that Malaysians no longer feel safe or secure if mere witnesses called in to give evidence to a graft busting agency could be found dead the next day. "I feel it is very bad for a country like this. We have been independent for 50 years. Must people called up for queries end up in a coffin?" he told The Malaysian Insider.
Teoh was the political aide to DAP state assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah.
Teoh was called in last Wednesday to assist the MACC in its investigations into alleged misuse of funds by his boss. He was found dead the next day, sprawled on the roof of the adjacent building to the MACC headquarters in Shah Alam.
Police are now probing his death and the Cabinet is expected to discuss widespread calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the tragedy.
Tengku Razaleigh said calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh's suspicious death would be of no use if the government does not follow through on its suggestions, pointing out that the government had ignored the recommendations of previous royal commissions such as the one that investigated the V.K. Lingam case of alleged judge fixing and on improving the police force.He even likened the sidelining of previous royal commissions to "insulting the King."
The former finance minister also spoke out against the performance of the MACC, pointing out that it has not been as effective as its counterpart in Hong Kong at wiping out the corruption scourge.
He hit out at the commission for allegedly going after potentially minor offences but ignoring the major ones, saying that the current MACC model needs to be reviewed.
"This is a question of death you know. People want to know. I want to know. How could it happen? To a witness, who is going to give evidence and he is not even a suspect over the spending of RM2,400. Some people with millions of dollars, they get away with it and are not called for investigation."
The following is a transcript of TMI's conversation with Ku Li.
TMI: I understand you have some concerns about the recent death of Teoh Beng Hock who was found dead outside the MACC headquarters.
Ku Li: Yes. Why should anybody who is called for assistance into investigations or is held in the custody of the MACC die? There is no reason. I am not saying they are responsible for the death. That is subject to investigation. Can't they look after these people to ensure nothing happens to them? Must it happen like this all the time?
TMI: Do you agree with the calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry?
Ku Li: That seems to be thinking of a lot of people. That may not necessarily be the best thing to do under the circumstance. You look at the previous royal commissions — on the police, on the Lingam tape. It leads us nowhere and the government doesn't implement all the recommendations even though it was formed in the name of the King. I think it's like insulting the King, not to implement those decisions. People took the trouble to give their views during the hearings. These are people of credible standing who spent their time and energy to get to the bottom of problems. But the government just ignores the recommendations. I hope if they set up a Royal Commission on Mr Teoh's death, they should dig up everything and leave no stone unturned so we can resolve this problem and make people really happy and satisfied but the government must implement what the Royal Commission puts up. It depends on the composition of the commission — who they pick and select. It must be people of unblemished character so that people do not doubt their integrity. This incident has brought about a lot of unhappiness in the country. People don't feel secure, people don't feel safe. People feel they are not protected if a man who is not a suspect, is called to give evidence to the MACC is found dead the next day, I feel it is very bad for a country like this. We have been independent for 50 years. Must people called up for queries end up in a coffin? I don't think that is what the government wants or what the people want. It's not very good for the country.
TMI: What changes do you recommend for the MACC? There have been allegations that MACC is being used as a tool to put down political rivals.
Ku Li: That is always the accusation of the opposition. But let me put it to you this way. It depends on how you read the MACC and how it is implemented. Also there are people running the MACC. Some may employ rough tactics so that they take over control of what they are supposed to do. I thought when the former prime minister wanted to amend the previous law on anti-corruption, he was going to base it purely on the Hong Kong model and I am very attracted to the Hong Kong model if not even to the Australian model.
TMI: Which aspects of the Hong Kong model are you attracted to?Ku Li: Well, it is more or less the same except that you make it very independent and they were successful in fighting corruption in Hong Kong which was really rife in those days and after the inception of the anti-corruption law in Hong Kong and setting up the machinery to implement those laws, you see that there is minimal or even talk about corruption in Hong Kong. So it has borne fruit. I thought that our government would take that model in toto to implement here and plus whatever other new mechanisms that could be put in place to really stop the rot that is damaging our society. But obviously it is not. And now you see with this death of Mr Teoh, obviously the rogue has taken over the role of controlling all these things which I think is not right.
TMI: Do you think the MACC should be made answerable to Parliament rather than the prime minister's office?
Ku Li: Well it is very difficult for me to say. It must be independent, whether it is Parliament or whatever, I don't know. But we have to relook at the whole model.
TMI: Are you satisfied with the way the investigations have gone so far? So far, only the police have conducted investigations.
Ku Li: I think it is the right thing to do. Now, you are demanding for a Royal Commission and if it is ever set up then they should be neutral, independent and like I said, they should dig up everything and leave no stone unturned. The scope of the investigation is very important. Set up Royal Commission, a lot of hoo-ha and after some time, it dies down, nobody cares and I don't think it should be the case. This is a question of death you know. People want to know. I want to know. How could it happen? To a witness, who is going to give evidence and he is not even a suspect over the spending of RM2,400. Some people with millions of dollars, they get away with it and are not called for investigation.
TMI: Do you share the sense of unhappiness that certain Barisan Nasional personalities are not investigated by MACC but they are investigating these Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen?
Ku Li: That's why I mentioned just now, some people get away with it. Even people accused of amassing funds or fortunes to the tune of billions of dollars. These people are not investigated although accused. But in this instance, it is over RM2,400 for the purchase of flags or buntings.
By Lee Wei Lian
22nd July 2009
Read more!
Monday, July 20, 2009
‘Remember Beng Hock’ will be a steady battle cry
By Ooi Kee Beng
JULY 20 — Whatever support Datuk Seri Najib Razak managed to gain for himself with his recent attempts at reforms has now gone out the window along with Teoh Beng Hock.
Teoh, the political secretary to Selangor DAP exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on a neighbouring rooftop below the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s building in Shah Alam on July 16. According to reports, he had endured 10 hours of questioning by the MACC throughout the previous night.
Later that afternoon, his body was discovered on the roof of the adjacent building. The police have quickly announced that there is no evidence of foul play.
Teoh was apparently not even a suspect in the MACC’s fervent operation recently launched against Selangor state assemblymen belonging to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition. What makes his death more painfully tragic is that Teoh’s fiancée is pregnant, and the couple was scheduled to register his marriage the following day.
Given the lack of public confidence in the police, the anti-corruption apparatus and the federal government itself, calls for a thorough investigation by an independent commission into the case can be expected for a long time to come.
When the anger and sadness that this incident is generating subsides, the fingers of blame cannot but point beyond the MACC officers involved, and at Najib himself. He will be called upon to clarify why his party and coalition should not bear the responsibility for failing to reform the police and the anti-corruption authorities from the bottom up, as recommended by an endless number of experts.
The suspicion will grow that the federal government under Najib — judging from the mix of tactical reforms and sly politicking — does not appreciate how badly compromised the federal apparatus actually is. Despite continuous defeats at the polls, his administration has continued to treat the success of the opposition as if it were the result of clever tactics on the part of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his allies, and not as a public outcry for clean and reliable government.
Criticism that his recent reforms are cosmetic and more tactical than sincere will continue to grow. Given the difficult times that the Pakatan Rakyat has had in recent weeks, Teoh’s death provides renewed focus for its disheartened supporters.
Unlike the few recent cases of deaths under police custody, this one at the Selangor MACC headquarters involves a young man known for his political engagement. His demise therefore carries great political implications, and will be a milestone in the nation’s painful history that future students of Malaysia will have to commit to memory for their exams.
It is a tipping point. “Remember Teo Beng Hock” will be a battle cry for a long time to come.
The ball has now landed squarely in Najib’s court. If he is serious about reforming Malaysia beyond foreign investment regulations and quota changes, he now has his chance of putting partisanship aside, seizing the moment, and acting as a national leader who realises how vital the integrity and professionalism of its investigative authorities are.
Teoh’s death is too big to be swept under the carpet, and will continue to arouse anger unless properly investigated. And even then, strong demands for some decisive action on the government’s part to make sure that no such thing will happen again are to be expected.
Needless to say, the many young activists who have arisen since the Reformasi movement started in 1998 will sympathise at a personal level with Teoh’s family. As long as the case is not openly cleared up, the misgiving will remain strong that it could have been any one of them who might have suffered — or may suffer — an end similar to Teoh’s.
Just a day before Teoh died, the ruling Barisan Nasional was asserting that the narrow margin of 65 votes with which it lost to PR in the Manek Urai by-election showed that the pendulum that had been swinging in PR’s favour for two years was now going the other way.
Indeed, Najib’s popularity had risen sharply according to a recent survey done by the Merdeka Center. Teoh’s death sends a reminder to voters that the police and the anti-corruption body are in pressing need of serious reforming. For PR supporters, their resolve to work for a change of federal government will be strengthened.
What one must conclude from this incident is that Najib’s chosen course of reform avoids his major challenge, which is to restore the credibility of the police, the judiciary and the anti-corruption apparatus.
As long as he sidesteps this duty, his other attempts at change will not be taken seriously. Indeed, even his allies within BN are feeling a greater need to put pressure publicly on Najib.
For starters, it would be wise of Najib to call off MACC’s blatant campaign against the Selangor government.
Read more!
JULY 20 — Whatever support Datuk Seri Najib Razak managed to gain for himself with his recent attempts at reforms has now gone out the window along with Teoh Beng Hock.
Teoh, the political secretary to Selangor DAP exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on a neighbouring rooftop below the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s building in Shah Alam on July 16. According to reports, he had endured 10 hours of questioning by the MACC throughout the previous night.
Later that afternoon, his body was discovered on the roof of the adjacent building. The police have quickly announced that there is no evidence of foul play.
Teoh was apparently not even a suspect in the MACC’s fervent operation recently launched against Selangor state assemblymen belonging to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition. What makes his death more painfully tragic is that Teoh’s fiancée is pregnant, and the couple was scheduled to register his marriage the following day.
Given the lack of public confidence in the police, the anti-corruption apparatus and the federal government itself, calls for a thorough investigation by an independent commission into the case can be expected for a long time to come.
When the anger and sadness that this incident is generating subsides, the fingers of blame cannot but point beyond the MACC officers involved, and at Najib himself. He will be called upon to clarify why his party and coalition should not bear the responsibility for failing to reform the police and the anti-corruption authorities from the bottom up, as recommended by an endless number of experts.
The suspicion will grow that the federal government under Najib — judging from the mix of tactical reforms and sly politicking — does not appreciate how badly compromised the federal apparatus actually is. Despite continuous defeats at the polls, his administration has continued to treat the success of the opposition as if it were the result of clever tactics on the part of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his allies, and not as a public outcry for clean and reliable government.
Criticism that his recent reforms are cosmetic and more tactical than sincere will continue to grow. Given the difficult times that the Pakatan Rakyat has had in recent weeks, Teoh’s death provides renewed focus for its disheartened supporters.
Unlike the few recent cases of deaths under police custody, this one at the Selangor MACC headquarters involves a young man known for his political engagement. His demise therefore carries great political implications, and will be a milestone in the nation’s painful history that future students of Malaysia will have to commit to memory for their exams.
It is a tipping point. “Remember Teo Beng Hock” will be a battle cry for a long time to come.
The ball has now landed squarely in Najib’s court. If he is serious about reforming Malaysia beyond foreign investment regulations and quota changes, he now has his chance of putting partisanship aside, seizing the moment, and acting as a national leader who realises how vital the integrity and professionalism of its investigative authorities are.
Teoh’s death is too big to be swept under the carpet, and will continue to arouse anger unless properly investigated. And even then, strong demands for some decisive action on the government’s part to make sure that no such thing will happen again are to be expected.
Needless to say, the many young activists who have arisen since the Reformasi movement started in 1998 will sympathise at a personal level with Teoh’s family. As long as the case is not openly cleared up, the misgiving will remain strong that it could have been any one of them who might have suffered — or may suffer — an end similar to Teoh’s.
Just a day before Teoh died, the ruling Barisan Nasional was asserting that the narrow margin of 65 votes with which it lost to PR in the Manek Urai by-election showed that the pendulum that had been swinging in PR’s favour for two years was now going the other way.
Indeed, Najib’s popularity had risen sharply according to a recent survey done by the Merdeka Center. Teoh’s death sends a reminder to voters that the police and the anti-corruption body are in pressing need of serious reforming. For PR supporters, their resolve to work for a change of federal government will be strengthened.
What one must conclude from this incident is that Najib’s chosen course of reform avoids his major challenge, which is to restore the credibility of the police, the judiciary and the anti-corruption apparatus.
As long as he sidesteps this duty, his other attempts at change will not be taken seriously. Indeed, even his allies within BN are feeling a greater need to put pressure publicly on Najib.
For starters, it would be wise of Najib to call off MACC’s blatant campaign against the Selangor government.
Read more!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Lawyers back royal panel to probe Teoh’s death
[(from left to right) Secretary-George Varughese ,President-Ragunath Kesavan and Vice President-Lim Chee Wee giving a press conference. - Picture by Choo Choy May]KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — The Malaysian Bar today backed a growing call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate Teoh Beng Hock’s death, nothing that another person has been found dead under under questionable circumstances while in custody.
It also requested for a full review of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) protocols on interrogation and investigation techniques. Teoh was found dead outside the MACC Selangor headquarters on Thursday.
“It is astounding that yet another individual has been found dead, under highly questionable and dubious circumstances, in the context of an investigation conducted by yet another law enforcement agency,” Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan told reporters.
He expressed shock over the tragic circumstances of Teoh’s death and questioned the treatment of MACC over its suspects and witnesses. The political secretary of Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah was being questioned as a witness for alleged misappropriation of state allocations.“Such incidents merely cement, in the public mind, the perception that law enforcement officers are neither negligent or fulfilling the duty of care that they owe to those who have been called in to assist in investigations; even worse, severely abusive towards them,” Ragunath added.
Teoh was taken in for questioning by the MACC last Wednesday evening. The agency said he was freed a little after 3.45am on Thursday but his body was later found sprawled on the roof of a five-storey building next door at 1.30pm.
Ragunath noted this was not the first time the MACC had reportedly held witnesses and interrogated them overnight. He stressed that every detainee has the right to not be interrogated during the night.
[Ragunath pointing out the discrepancies. - Picture by Choo Choy May]
Ragunath pointing out the discrepancies. - Picture by Choo Choy May
“Rule 20 of the Lockup Rules 1953 provides that detainees shall be locked up only for the night by 6.30pm and shall rise and be dressed by 6.30am,” he said.
Ragunath argued that this is the regulation for those who are accused and detained but Teoh was only a witness.
“If there was insufficient time to finish questioning Teoh during reasonable hours of the day, he should have been released and asked to return another day.
“He was not a flight risk and there was no risk of any evidence vanishing,” he said.
Ragunath also blasted the MACC for not allowing Teoh a legal counsel and said the officer had acted against the law. “Access to legal counsel is a highly imperative safeguard for the rights of the detained persons. It is for these reasons that Article 5 of the Federal Constitution and Section 28 ( 4) of the Criminal Procedure Code have been provided in order to guarantee a detained person’s rights of access to a to a legal practitioner of own choice.”
The Malaysian Bar also wants all MACC officers involved in Teoh’s interrogation to be suspended immediately while those who have had contact with him to be questioned to establish a detailed record of his whereabouts and welfare.
The Bar also wants all investigation papers and logbooks seized to avoid allegations of tampering.
Ragunath added the manner of Teoh’s interrogation is equivalent to torture according to internationally-accepted human rights norms
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Police don’t rule out foul play in Teoh’s death
SHAH ALAM, July 18 — Political secretary Teoh Beng Hock died of multiple injuries due to a fall but police said they will not rule out foul play as they continue to question witnesses, including 17 anti-graft officials.Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said they are still classifying the 30-year-old’s demise as sudden death following a preliminary report from the autopsy.
“These are just our initial findings.” Khalid told reporters today, adding that police were investigating the case thoroughly and from all angles.
Teoh died under mysterious circumstances a day after he was held by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its probe into alleged misappropriation of government allocations by Selangor executive council members.
The political aide to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah was found dead on the balcony on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam on Thursday afternoon.
He had been questioned by the MACC at its Selangor headquarters on the 14th floor of the building till 3.45am on Thursday before he was allowed to leave.
Khalid said to date police have recorded statements from 23 witnesses including 17 MACC officers but no arrest had been made.
Police are also probing the anti-graft body’s interrogation techniques and had also seized closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage from the building’s car park and lift areas.
There are no cameras at the MACC office.
Khalid said the police will soon be interviewing Teoh’s colleagues, friend and family.
A task force led by Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Hasnan Hassan will conduct the investigations.
Khalid also said two pathologists from the KL Hospital and UM Medical Centre conducted Teoh’s autopsy, adding the Selangor government was given the opportunity to have its own pathologist but none turned up.
In an immediately reaction, a spokesman for the state government said all local pathologists who were approached had already been commissioned by the police. A total of four pathologists examined the body at the crime scene.
The spokesman said the state had to look abroad and had managed to secure the services of renowned pathologist Dr Porntip Rojanasunan from Thailand.
“However the family of Teoh decided against carrying out a second post-mortem and we respect their wishes,” he added.
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Another victim of MACC’s ‘racism’?
PETALING JAYA, July 18 — Is the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) racist?DAP member Dariff Din is buttressing that claim, saying today he was a victim of racial remarks by the body’s interrogators looking into alleged misappropriation of state allocations by DAP state lawmakers.
Dariff, who is assistant to Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San, is the second person to make the claim after Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Wah who made the same allegation yesterday.
“They asked me if I was Chinese or Malay and I told them that I was Malaysian but they kept insisting on my race,” Dariff told reporters at the DAP Paramount service centre when relating details of his interrogation on July 15 by MACC officials.
He said they were mainly interested in his ethnicity rather than the case itself, adding the officer was curious because he looked Chinese but had a Malay name. He told them his father was Malay and mother was Chinese.
“Everything went smoothly after they learned that I was a Malay Muslim,” Dariff said, adding he was questioned about his background for another hour before they asked him how Lau’s office spent the state allocations.
The investigator went through all the files they seized from Lau’s office, Dariff said, adding he was surprised the officer even asked if anybody had attended the programme even though there were photos to prove the event was not a hoax.
“They told me that now there are computers, so the photos can be made,” he added
After the interrogation was complete, Dariff asked for the written statement but the officer refused and claimed it was against procedure and it was a secret.
“How can it be secret when I made the statement?” Dariff asked, adding he was questioned from 4.30pm until 9pm that day.
Dariff also asked the interrogator why he was being investigated when there are bigger cases like the PKFZ.
“It is not our jurisdiction, it up to the head office. We are only Selangor,” he quoted the officer as saying.
Dariff added that he was allowed to roam freely in the office and claimed he saw Teoh Beng Hock being escorted to the back of the MACC office at 6pm. Teoh was found dead a day later outside the building.
Lau has now instructed his assistant not to attend any interrogation in the MACC office until the investigation is complete and there is royal commission inquiry into Teoh’s death as their personal safety is at risk.
He said he believes the MACC has no proof but is fishing for evidence against opposition assemblymen and is using scare tactics to get them.
Apart from Lau’s office, the MACC officers also raided the service centres of Teoh’s superior, Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah. They only introduced themselves as MACC officers and demanded Dariff go to the MACC office for questioning.
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Teoh’s body to be released to family this evening
The casket containing Teoh's remains is loaded into a hearse for his last journey from the Klang hospital morgue. - Picture by Jack Ooi
Teoh's family members and fiancee, performing the 'calling of the soul' ceremony at the 5th floor of the MACC office building where the body was found. - Picture by Choo Choy MayKLANG, July 17 – The body of Teoh Beng Hock is expected to be released to his family members this evening at around 6 pm.
After being removed from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) headquarters in Shah Alam yesterday, Teoh’s body was taken to the Klang General Hospital.
Teoh Beng Hock’s fiancée Sue Sue Quay (left) and his family, led by his brother Beng Kee, perform prayers at the scene of his death to help his soul find peace. – Picture by Choo Choy MayAn autopsy was performed this afternoon but so far no information as to the cause of death has been made available.
Teoh’s sister, brother and fiancé were seen waiting in the lobby of the mortuary, their faces masked with sorrow.
Teoh’s sister broke down when a TV reporter tried to ask her a few questions. His fiancé, Soh Cher Wei, sat quietly throughout with her eyes closed. His brother appeared sad but calm. They left at 3.50pm to perform special prayers at the MACC headquarters but will return later to claim the body.
Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu, who was also at the mortuary told, The Malaysian Insider that DAP had asked the police to return Teoh’s handphone but was told neither the police nor MACC had the phone.
“We need the phone because it will be helpful to know who he had talked to prior to his death,” said Liu.
Teoh was taken in for questioning by the MACC on Wednesday evening. The agency said he was freed a little after 3.45am but his body was later found sprawled on the roof of a five-storey building next door at 1.30pm yesterday.
It has not been determined if Teoh jumped to his death or had fallen.
Teoh’s funeral will be held in Alor Gajah, Melaka at 11 am on Monday. There will also be a vigil at his family home in Melaka tonight.
Liu added that gatherings are being planned to protest the suspicious circumstances surrounding Teoh’s death. He said that there will be one in Ipoh tonight, one in Penang on Saturday and one in Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya, on Sunday.
By Lee Wei Lian
17th July 2009
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Police may release initial report on Teoh’s death tomorrow
SHAH ALAM, July 17 – Police may release its initial findings into political secretary Teoh Beng Hock’s death tomorrow which has sparked an outcry over the country’s anti-graft probe into opposition lawmakers and its interrogation techniques.No arrests have been made but police have begun recording statements from witnesses and are awaiting the preliminary autopsy report carried out at the Klang Hospital.
It is learnt that Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar will release the preliminary findings tomorrow.
The 30-year-old Teoh, who worked for Selangor state exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead yesterday on an adjoining building to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam.
He had been questioned at their office on the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam till 3.45am before he was allowed to leave, according to the MACC, but was found dead on the balcony by a janitor at 1.30pm.
After the autopsy today, his family members performed a Taoist ritual to lead home the soul of those who died violently at the balcony of where his body was found.
Accompanying the priest was his elder brother Teoh Beng Kee, his younger sister Teoh Lee Lan and fiancee Soh Cher Wei.
The management of Plaza Masalam allowed only family members to enter the balcony on the 5th floor of the building, so the ritual could be performed .
The group emerged about 20 minutes later and Lee Lan, who was in tears, were seen calling out Teoh’s name so his sprit could followed them home.
He is expected to be laid to rest at his home town at Alor Gajah, Malacca on Monday.
By Neville Spykerman
17th July 2009
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Teoh Beng Hock begins last journey home
KLANG, July 17 – With plaintive chants of “follow us home, brother”, Teoh Beng Hock’s sister exhorted his spirit to follow her as she claimed his mortal remains from the morgue at 6.30pm this evening.Teoh Lee Lan, 29, red-eyed and teary-voiced, was praying in Hokkien while gazing with sorrow as Teoh’s body, resting in a metal casket, was loaded by morgue attendants into the Nirvana Memorial hearse for his last ride home.
Older brother Teoh Beng Kee, 33, had to comfort a sobbing Soh Cher Wei, the ashen-faced girl who was to have been the blushing bride of the DAP political aide today.
No comments or autopsy report was issued by morgue officials.
The body has been taken from the Klang General Hospital to the Nirvana Memorial centre in Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur for funeral preparations and possibly another medical inspection tonight.
It will then make the two-hour journey to his family home in Alor Gajah, Malacca, where the funeral will take place at 11 am on Monday.
His final resting place however, will be a memorial park in Semenyih.
Earlier in the evening, Daniel Chong, assistant to Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu, told The Malaysian Insider that he last spoke with Beng Hock on Wednesday, when they talked about Beng Hock’s plans to take up law studies.
The next day, he got a call informing him that the political secretary to DAP’s Ean Yong Hian Wah was found dead just outside the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters in Shah Alam.
Teoh’s future in law, his political career and dreams of starting his own family, all these will now not happen.
And why that is, the nation is waiting to find out.
By Lee Wei Lian
17th July 2009
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Pakatan stonewalled over Teoh’s death
SHAH ALAM, July 17 — Despite their demands, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders today failed to get any answers about the death of Teoh Beng Hock from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers at their Selangor headquarters at Plaza Masalam here.
A protester continues his protest even as he is herded into the police van. — Pictures by Choo Choy May
PR top guns Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng had gone to MACC office on the 14th floor where Teoh may have either fallen or jumped to his death early yesterday morning.
Sources said MACC officials remained tight-lipped, saying they were under instructions not to say anything. Kit Siang called the meeting a waste of time.
Outside, however, an angry crowd shouting "Siasat, Siasat" drove home the point that the conduct of the MACC and the death of the 30-year-old political aide to DAP’s Ean Yong Hian Wah was simply unacceptable.
Teoh was taken in for questioning by the MACC on Wednesday evening. The agency said he was freed a little after 3.45am but his body was later found sprawled on the roof of a five-storey building next door at 1.30pm yesterday
Despite police roadblocks, several hundred protesters including a dozen PR MPs and state assemblymen managed to gather outside the building.
Repeated police warnings failed to deter the crowd which clashed with police dressed in riot gear several times.
Police officers dragging away one of the protesters at the MACC office today.
At least two people were injured during the fracas, including an assistant to state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong, when the crowd went head to head with police for several minutes.
Wong was seen arguing with the authorities while at least two other protesters were seen being dragged away roughly right in front of reporters and photographers.
Shah Alam police chief ACP Mohd Nor Azam Jamaluddin was seen twice appealing to PR leaders to ask the crowd to disperse but to no avail as the crowd continued to jeer.
The protesters later staged a sit-in at the entrance of the building, waiting for PR leaders to come out.
Police were seen preparing to move in against the group which included elected representatives Tony Pua, Fong Kui Loon, Teo Nie Ching, Tan Kok Wai and Elizabeth Wong while reporters were instructed to leave the area.
However, the arrival of Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar stopped the tense situation from becoming worse. Khalid asked the MPs, state lawmakers and other protesters just to move to the side and not block the entrance of the building and they immediately complied.
At least seven protesters were arrested in the melee. They included Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam and Selangor exco member Dr Xavier Jayakumar. All seven were released by 6pm.
Anwar and Kit Siang have called for the setting up a royal commission to investigate Teoh’s death.
Later at a press conference, Khalid said his administration would not allow its officials to be investigated outside their offices.
“We will prepare a legal team to assist our officials under investigation.”
He said the state government would assist and support family members of Teoh, including helping in the funeral arrangements.
“I have directed the deputy state secretary to meet with family members.”
He also called for a royal commission of enquiry to clear the MACC’s image.
"The MACC's image has been tarnished. People want to what happened,” he said.
By Neville Spykerman
17th July 2009
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A protester continues his protest even as he is herded into the police van. — Pictures by Choo Choy MayPR top guns Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng had gone to MACC office on the 14th floor where Teoh may have either fallen or jumped to his death early yesterday morning.
Sources said MACC officials remained tight-lipped, saying they were under instructions not to say anything. Kit Siang called the meeting a waste of time.
Outside, however, an angry crowd shouting "Siasat, Siasat" drove home the point that the conduct of the MACC and the death of the 30-year-old political aide to DAP’s Ean Yong Hian Wah was simply unacceptable.
Teoh was taken in for questioning by the MACC on Wednesday evening. The agency said he was freed a little after 3.45am but his body was later found sprawled on the roof of a five-storey building next door at 1.30pm yesterday
Despite police roadblocks, several hundred protesters including a dozen PR MPs and state assemblymen managed to gather outside the building.
Repeated police warnings failed to deter the crowd which clashed with police dressed in riot gear several times.
Police officers dragging away one of the protesters at the MACC office today.At least two people were injured during the fracas, including an assistant to state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong, when the crowd went head to head with police for several minutes.
Wong was seen arguing with the authorities while at least two other protesters were seen being dragged away roughly right in front of reporters and photographers.
Shah Alam police chief ACP Mohd Nor Azam Jamaluddin was seen twice appealing to PR leaders to ask the crowd to disperse but to no avail as the crowd continued to jeer.
The protesters later staged a sit-in at the entrance of the building, waiting for PR leaders to come out.
Police were seen preparing to move in against the group which included elected representatives Tony Pua, Fong Kui Loon, Teo Nie Ching, Tan Kok Wai and Elizabeth Wong while reporters were instructed to leave the area.
However, the arrival of Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar stopped the tense situation from becoming worse. Khalid asked the MPs, state lawmakers and other protesters just to move to the side and not block the entrance of the building and they immediately complied.
At least seven protesters were arrested in the melee. They included Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam and Selangor exco member Dr Xavier Jayakumar. All seven were released by 6pm.
Anwar and Kit Siang have called for the setting up a royal commission to investigate Teoh’s death.
Later at a press conference, Khalid said his administration would not allow its officials to be investigated outside their offices.
“We will prepare a legal team to assist our officials under investigation.”
He said the state government would assist and support family members of Teoh, including helping in the funeral arrangements.
“I have directed the deputy state secretary to meet with family members.”
He also called for a royal commission of enquiry to clear the MACC’s image.
"The MACC's image has been tarnished. People want to what happened,” he said.
By Neville Spykerman
17th July 2009
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Ean Yong's political secretary dead at MACC HQ
SHAH ALAM, July 16 – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) controversial probe into several DAP assemblymen’s activities was thrown into more turmoil today with the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock at the anti-graft authority’s Selangor headquarters.The 30-year-old’s death will put more pressure on the MACC, which has been accused by the opposition of conducting selective investigations.
By 9pm tonight, a crowd had gathered at the scene for a candlelight vigil in his memory, which soon grew into a protest with angry chants of “Najib pembunuh, BN zalim, BN jahanam” (murderer Najib, cruel BN, go to hell, BN)and “Reformasi!”
Teoh, the political secretary of Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was taken in for questioning by the MACC yesterday at its 14th floor office in Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.
MACC said he was freed but his body was later found sprawled on the roof of a five-storey building next door.
It is unclear if Teoh, a former journalist with Chinese daily Sin Chew Jit Poh, fell or jumped from the MACC office.
DAP’s Ronnie Liu said he could not understand how this could have happened.
Forensic investigators examine the body of Teoh Boon Hock for clues. Teoh was found dead next to the MACC’s office today, after being taken in for questioning yesterday.At a press conference, the MACC director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdul said Teoh was questioned from 5pm yesterday to 3.45am and was released soon after.
However, Teoh apparently said he was tired and so he rested on a settee in the lobby. He was seen sleeping on the settee at 6am.
At about 1.30pm, Shukri said, they heard that a body had been found on the 5th floor of the adjacent building and when one of the MACC officers went to investigate, he realised it was one of their witnesses.
Shukri said Teoh was not a suspect but was questioned as part of their investigations into the misuse of state allocations.
Police have not allowed anyone to view Teoh’s body, which has still not been removed at 6.30pm, when his brother was at the scene. According to witnesses at the scene, the body was finally removed about 9.20pm.
In an immediate reaction, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang expressed shock and asked in his twitter account, “Is there now the first case of death in custody, not police but MACC? If so, heads must roll!”
The DAP leader is in Penang and said he was waiting for a full report about the tragedy.
“What has this country come to?” he asked, adding later he and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders will meet the MACC on Friday for an explanation.
According to Kit Siang, Teoh, an Alor Gajah boy, was to register his marriage tomorrow.
Kit Siang also confirmed he and Anwar will meet reporters at the MACC building in Shah Alam at 10am Friday.
Teoh was taken in for questioning yesterday after MACC officers raided Ean Yong’s office in the State Secretariat as they were investigating complaints about the failure of state allocations to reach the people.
Selangor State Assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim weighed in by saying the MACC is responsible for the incident.
His lawyer M Manoharan, who accompanied Teoh to the MACC office yesterday, said he had looked normal and showed no signs of being under stress.
“He was happy and looked composed. I had advised him how to handle the interrogation as I was not allowed in during questioning,” he said.
Manoharan, who is the Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson, last saw Teoh at around 7pm yesterday.
The brother and sister of the late Teoh are consoled by Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo (R), after they arrive at the MACC office.Ean Yong said it was highly unlikely Teoh took his own life since he was due to be married tomorrow.
"Furthermore, there was no reason for him to linger (after the interrogation) because his car was here," he added.
Selangor executive councillor Elizabeth Wong expressed shock over Teoh’s death and added to the chorus that MACC was responsible for it.
“This tragic incident is another reminder of the recklessness of supposedly public institutions like the MACC in pursuing the goals of their political masters,” she said in a statement.
Wong said MACC investigations director Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdul’s explanation flew in the face of logic, adding that the authority should operate within acceptable guidelines when conducting interrogations.
“Even the police stops interrogating suspects at 6pm. Did the MACC think it holds powers greater than the PDRM when it interrogated Teoh from 5pm to 4am the next day?” she asked.
She said the incident has prompted her not to allow her staff to be questioned by the MACC unless accompanied by legal counsel, adding the police should also seal the office for investigations.
“Datuk Mohd Shukri … should save whatever honour he and the MACC have left by resigning,” said the Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman.
In a statement, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the MACC must bear full responsibility for this death as Teoh was in their custody at the time.
“MACC should stop its political persecution of PR, especially DAP leaders and members, that does not serve the interest of fighting corruption or justice,” he said. “Such political games have caused the loss of life of a bright young idealistic DAP member.”
“There must be a full investigation on how he died. Unless MACC can clear its name, the public may suspect that Teoh was mistreated and MACC had a hand in his sudden death. There must be full transparency and accountability.
A man lights a candle during a vigil for the late Teoh Beng Hock. – Picture by Jack Ooi“DAP extends its condolences to Teoh’s family for this tragic loss and assures them that all steps will be taken to ensure that the culprits or those responsible be punished.”
Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Swee Lim, who was weeping openly at the press conference, said he had wanted to take Teoh for seafood yesterday.
Meanwhile, PKR vice president K. Sivarasa calls this a “death in suspicious circumstances.”
PKR assemblyman Xavier Jeyakumar is questioning why a normal young man would want to kill himself over being questioned about state allocations.
A vigil organised for Teoh outside the MACC office was held at 8.30pm tonight. A group of youth unveiled a banner saying: "MACC we want answers and the truth".
By 9.20pm, the scene was beginning to evoke memories of Reformasi protests as at least 200 people had gathered.
By Neville Spykerman
16th July 2009
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