Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's remark on the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock did not represent his ministry, says the Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
Gobind, who is a former lawyer for the family, said that Muhyiddin's remark reflected his own personal views.
He stressed that the cabinet had agreed to re-open probe into Teoh's death and it is now under police investigation.
The settlement suit by Teoh's family was another matter, he said.
"It was clear that what was settled in the past (in regard to Teoh) was related to civil suits.
"Police, on the other hand, will continue to investigate.
"I know Muhyiddin had mentioned several things but they were his personal views. The one who makes the final decision is the attorney-general," he told reporters in Putrajaya.
On Wednesday, Muhyiddin had said that all avenues in the investigation into Teoh's death have been exhausted.
"When the family has received compensation and they continue to demand more, I would just leave the matter to the attorney-general," Muhyddin had said.
Asked to comment on the reclassification of the investigation which is being carried under Section 342 of the Penal Code, which deals with wrongful confinement, Gobind said:
"This matter is under police investigation. Then, the attorney-general will make a decision. Let them make the announcement."
On July 16, 2009, Teoh was found dead after falling nine floors from MACC's former Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam, where he had been held overnight for questioning.
The deceased was the political aide to Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah.
In 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned the coroner's open verdict with regard to Teoh's death, ruling instead that the latter died from a fall that could have been accelerated by unlawful actions of persons unknown, including by MACC officers.
Following the verdict, MACC agreed to pay RM600,000 to Teoh's family to settle a negligence suit they brought against the commission.
The court also ordered the police to investigate the death.
However, at that time, the Attorney-General's Chambers found no criminal elements in his death.
Recently, it is learnt that police have re-opened their investigation into Teoh's death under Section 342, which triggered reactions from the group seeking justice for him, Teoh Beng Hock Trust For Democracy.
It has questioned the Attorney-General's Chambers' decision and said that those MACC officers involved should be prosecuted under Section 304 (of the Penal Code) for culpable homicide. - Mkini
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