AGC requests IGP to further probe Beng Hock's death

The Attorney-General's Chambers has requested inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun to carry out further investigations into the death of late DAP aide Teoh Beng Hock.

This was revealed by Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, who is also the lawyer for Teoh's family, in a statement today.

According to him, the AGC’s request to the IGP was sent yesterday (July 17), following a letter he had sent through his firm, Messrs Karpal Singh & Co, on June 6, pertaining to whether Teoh's death would be probed further.

"The AGC is of the view that such investigations are necessary, in light of the Court of Appeal's finding that other unknown personalities, including MACC officers, were involved in Teoh's death.

"I am of the view that the above is a positive development in the matter and hope that such investigations reveal those responsible for Teoh’s death especially since the Court of Appeal has made a finding that there were others involved.

"I will, no doubt, continue pressing the authorities for updates on the matter periodically as I am of the view that justice must be done in Teoh’s case," he said.

Earlier this week, the deceased's sister, Lee Lan, had called for the burden of proof to be reversed in cases of custodial death.

This would mean that in future cases of custodial deaths, the prosecution would not need to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is responsible for the death in order to secure a conviction, but instead, the officers in charge of the detainee would have to explain the death and prove that no foul play had taken place.

Beng Hock, an aide to Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, 2009, after falling nine floors from MACC's former Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam, where he had been held overnight for questioning.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry into his death implicated three MACC officers in his death.

The Court of Appeal held that Beng Hock’s death was due to “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 acts of persons unknown, inclusive of the MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigation of the deceased.”

The decision overturned the coroner’s open verdict on Beng Hock’s death that was previously upheld by the High Court.

The appellate court also told the police to reopen the case, but the AGC said it found no criminal element two years later.

After the Pakatan Harapan coalition took power in May, its cabinet agreed to reopen the case. -Mkini