RAMKARPAL Singh has called for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the death of Teoh Beng Hock, following the reluctance of police to re-open the case.

In a statement today, the Bukit Gelugor MP said an RCI would help to establish what transpired on July 16, 2009, the day Teoh died.

The Court of Appeal which heard the investigation into Teoh’s death in 2014 had also instructed the police to re-open the case.

Ramkarpal said the failure of the police to comply with the order was a “blatant sign of incompetence” on the part of the force.

He said there was ample evidence of foul play surrounding the death of Teoh, whose body was found in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building.

Teoh, who was political secretary to Selangor exco Ean Yong Hian Wah, was picked up by MACC officers in a raid on Ean Yong’s office on July 15, 2009. 

Teoh was reported to have been  interrogated until midnight the day before he was found dead on the 5th floor of the Selangor MACC office building.

Ramkarpal, who is the DAP legal bureau chairman, said it was therefore shocking to find out that the police are still awaiting orders to reopen the probe despite the court’s instruction.

The Appeal Court judge presiding over the case, Mohammad Ariff Md Yusof, when delivering judgment had said that Teoh’s death 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, who is now Dewan Speaker, had also said that “the interest of the family members and the public interest required that the case be further investigated by the police authorities”.

Ramkarpal today reminded the authorities of the judge’s remarks.

“Aren’t the said remarks of the Court of Appeal sufficient to warrant reopening investigations into Teoh’s case?

“With the greatest of respect, there can be no doubt that Teoh’s death came about as a result of foul play.

“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.

“How much longer do we need to wait for such orders (from Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin) to come?”

He said it was disgraceful that the police had not resolved such a “straightforward case” which he said begged the question if the delay was due to incompetence or an attempt at a cover-up. – October 23, 2018.