Teoh death : RAKYAT want RC to investigate NOT the GOVT decide on 2 inquest

themalaysianinsider

By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the government has failed to understand the people’s wishes for a royal commission of inquiry to investigate Teoh Beng Hock’s death.

“The terms of reference will definitely limit the investigation of the royal commission and will not succeed in stopping the erosion of people’s confidence in security and judicial institutions, and it will not answer the questions behind Teoh’s death,” said Anwar in a statement.

Yesterday, the Cabinet decided to form a royal commission of inquiry to investigate the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation procedures and whether Teoh’s human rights had been violated during his interrogation.

The government also decided to hold an inquest to be presided over by a magistrate to determine Teoh’s cause of death.

“It is not appropriate for an investigation to determine the cause of death to be handled by a magistrate, while the ongoing probe is handled by the Home Affairs Ministry and the police,” he added.

Anwar said the demand for a royal commission was caused by the loss of confidence in government institutions including the police and the Home Affairs Ministry.

“I am confident that the people of Malaysia do not want this royal commission to end up like the investigation into the VK Lingam video and the assault by the former Inspector-General of Police on me,” he said.


Teoh, a political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead outside the Selangor MACC headquarters on July 16, one day after he was called in for questioning.

He was interrogated as part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of state allocations by Selangor lawmakers.