Describing it as a straightforward case, the chairman of the DAP legal bureau said it “makes one wonder if this is a question of incompetence on their (police’s) part or a cover-up instead”.
In a statement today, Ramkarpal said it was “shocking” that the police were still awaiting orders to reopen the probe into the death of Teoh, as revealed by Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in Parliament on Oct 22.
“The failure of the police to ascertain Teoh’s death and those responsible for it is a blatant sign of incompetence on their part, having regard to the fact that there was ample evidence of foul play surrounding the events that led to his death at the MACC building where his body was found.”
The lawyer reminded the police of the words of Court of Appeal judge Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof (now speaker of Parliament) in delivering judgment then: “Death of Teoh Beng Hock was caused by multiple injuries from a fall from the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam as a result of, or which was accelerated by, an unlawful act, or act of person or persons unknown, inclusive of MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigation of the deceased.”
Ariff added: “The interest of the family members and the public interest require that the case be further investigated by the police authorities.”
Ramkarpal asked if the judge’s remarks were insufficient for police to reopen the case.
“Why is it so difficult for the authorities to charge those involved? Surely the identities of Teoh’s investigators and those present at the said MACC building that night are known. Why such incompetence on the part of the police in charging those responsible for his death?
“In the circumstances, it is hard to believe Muhyiddin’s statement that the police are still awaiting orders to reopen Teoh’s case. How much longer do we need to wait for such orders to come?
“If the police are so hopeless, perhaps it’s best we find answers in other more effective ways,” he said, urging for another RCI to be set up.
Teoh, 30, was found dead on the fifth-floor corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam after giving a statement at the Selangor MACC office on the 14th floor of the building on July 16, 2009. He was then the political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah of the DAP.
A RCI held two years after the death concluded that Teoh was driven to suicide due to the aggressive interrogation methods used by MACC officers.
The inquiry found that he was under great stress after continuous questioning sessions.
it found that three investigating officers involved in the case had continuously questioned Teoh, using aggressive, inappropriate methods and had, therefore, violated procedures.