Updated at 10.40am, 17 July 2009
SHAH ALAM, 16 July 2009: A Selangor state executive councillor’s special assistant, Teoh Beng Hock, was found dead today in the corridor of the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam.
Teoh, who was in his 30s, was believed to have fallen off the building. His body was found lying face-down at about 1.30pm.
At about 8pm, his body had not been taken from the scene and the police were still investigating.
Teoh, the special assistant to exco Ean Yong Hian Wan, was a witness in the investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) into allegations of misappropriation of state allocations.
MACC’s director of investigation Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull said at a news conference at the scene that Teoh went to the Selangor
MACC office on the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam at 5pm yesterday to give a statement and was allowed to leave at 3.45am today.
He said that before leaving, Teoh promised to return to the Selangor MACC office and bring several documents to assist in the investigations.
“He however said he wanted to rest first in the visitors’ room [in] the MACC office and was allowed to do so. At 6am, he was seen sleeping on the sofa and after [that he] was not seen again.
“During the investigation the victim cooperated fully as he was not an accused but was a witness,” he said.
Yong, the Seri Kembangan assemblyperson, was among seven state assemblypersons and executive councillors being investigated by the MACC.
Yesterday, the MACC raided Yong’s office at the state secretariat here to take documents related to state allocations and took Teoh in for questioning.
Mohd Shukri said that after he was informed that Teoh’s body was found on the fifth floor today, the commission made a police report.
On the long time taken to conduct its investigation, Mohd Shukri said it was normal procedure in all investigations done by the commission.
According to Yong, Teoh was supposed to register his marriage tomorrow (17 July). Yong, who was in shock over the tragedy, said he wanted explanation from the MACC.
Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Teoh’s death came as a shock. “We in the state government wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family,” he told a news conference later.
He said Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had given the assurance that the police would carry out a thorough investigation, including allowing a pathologist appointed by the state government to be part of the investigation team.
“I hope there will be no repeat of this incident,” he said.
In a related development, Yong said Teoh had been instructed to go to the Selangor MACC office at 6pm yesterday and had driven there alone.
“I went to the MACC office at midnight and asked the MACC to release him but they told me they could not do so as they needed to adhere to the 24-hour investigation procedure. I left the office at 1.30am.
“Then I returned at 5am and after waiting for about half an hour, I met an MACC officer from Putrajaya who told me that they had released Teoh at about 3.45am after they completed their investigations.
“They claimed that Teoh wanted to rest in the office and that he was not seen again after that. Then at 1.30pm, I was told about the discovery of his body,” he said.
Teoh, a former reporter with Sin Chew Daily, was appointed special aide to Yong shortly after the 12th general election last year.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said a thorough investigation will be carried out by the authorities.
“I have yet to receive a report on the incident but there will be a thorough investigation carried out to find out the cause of death,” he said at the National Anti- Drug Agency’s (AADK) Media Awards event.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said Teoh’s death was classified as sudden death. Khalid said the police took a long time to send the body to hospital for post-mortem because with it being a sensitive case, the police had to wait for the arrival of two pathologists from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and one each from Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital.
The four pathologists inspected the body from 4pm to 9pm, he said. — Bernama
faith04 says
“During the investigation the victim cooperated fully as he was not an accused but was a witness,” he said.
How can MACC be so careless with a cooperative witness? MACC must be answerable to Teoh’s death!
Erinaheights says
What a shame, MACC!
What little hope you have is now gone.
Goodbye to the half-hearted efforts of Pak Lah and his BN cronies.
Rakyat minta stronger ACA, similar to HK’s ICAC – Pak Lah gives us MACC which is worse than ACA.
Najib – What are your comments now?
Muhyiddin – What are your comments now?
Hishammuddin – What are your comments now?
faith04 says
MACC can’t even protect its witness? Who dares to be a witness and help MACC investigation in future? Why must MACC hold the witness overnight, denying their basic human right to rest at home? Too many questions to ask?
Eric says
When were VVIPs like the wealthy ex-MB Selangor, the dubious IGP and the less than stellar AG submitted to Mohd Shukri’s “normal procedure in all investigations done by the commission” while they were investigated by the agency which has proven its nickname of Malaysian Agency for Cars and Cows?
1 Black Malaysia. Democracy First. Elections Now
kanna says
I see it as harassment by MACC officers. He was in that much stress that it caused him his life. MACC has the death of him on their hands. It’s plain murder if you ask me. Someone has to pay for it. MACC is [supposed] to investigate charges of corruption.
Gopal Raj Kumar says
What is it that this man did not want to reveal or that someone elsse did not want him to reveal may have driven him or driven someone else to end his life.
Dead men tell no tales. However they may very well leave clues as to the extent of what’s rotten behind. In this case there needs to be a more thorough and extensive and transparent investigation. A man’s life has ended in the process of an investigation into suspicion of massive fraud. His life should not have been in vain.
Karcy says
Tragic.
Thomas says
They can’t release him for 24 hours because of procedure when Ean asked him to be released. Yet when his body was found, they said he was released at 3.45am? It’s not 24 hours yet! Why? I think many are curious over this discrepancy.
PH says
What a shame for all Malaysians!
[Regardless if] it is a murder or suicide, MACC should fully answerable. MACC didn’t act professionally in their investigation process. MACC have an obligation to protect anyone under their custody, right? Especially [since] this incident is within their compound.
So, all our MPs shall penalize MACC and someone must [be] responsible [for] this incident.
Please don’t let this incident be a joke! Lessons should be learned.
Authorities shall not take the law into their own hands. Wrong doing must be punished!
Tony says
To me Teoh falling off the building or taking his own life away doesn’t make sense at all. This guy is getting registered today … there certainly is foul play..
MACC may very well change its portfolio from “Malaysian Anti Corruption Agency” to Malaysian Agency of Crime and Corruption”. It is safer now to walk the streets than to walk into police stations and the MACC building.
kel says
@Thomas
MACC said they need to conclude the investigation within 24hrs, NOT that he can’t be released within 24hrs.
rakyat says
This is the first warning to Pakatan and all those who support Pakatan. They can expect more and worse intimidation.
siva says
He is a very cooperative witness that has been grilled till almost 4am.
What happened to the allocation of RM500,000 spent in two months by the BN [reps]? Why till today no investigation has been taken, MACC? I’m sure there are thousands of reports lodged against BN aduns (assembly[persons]).
What about Toyo’s mansion? All NFA.
The whole government law enforcement agencies are working bloody hard to find ways to get rid of PR administrators.
The PM is feeling very insecure, the PR state government might unearth the mother of all scandals soon.
I’m sure as hell there must be one hidden somewhere
armstrong says
And MCA and Gerakan remain silent.
Why talk so much about Kg Pala when life and death is involved here?
Seek truth and justice for Beng Hock.
It’s time for MCA and Gerakan to show your might to your Umno boss.
We will make sure MCA and Gerakan are wiped off by the next GE.
No to MCA and Gerakan means no to Umno.
MCA and Gerakan got no [courage] even to do the right and honourable thing.
tanyoongfatt says
It started at PDRM and no one was found responsible. It then spread to MACC and you can see the cover up in motion. Which institution will be next? EC? Judiciary?
Mohd Bakri says
Thousands have died in police-lock-ups. And they continue die, mysteriously, or so it seems … And now at the quarters of the MACC? Is it just me or does this picture trouble you? Selective investigations, late night interrogations, secretive and delayed procedures, and investigating personnel that claim everything was “standard procedure”. The picture warrants an in-depth independent investigation. And in this incident from authorities that are not associated with the police or the MACC.
Malaysians are tired of waking up to hear of sudden deaths in custody. The public is not convinced that young men and women who are hauled up for investigation die natural deaths in these environments. Many of these so-called “investigations” and questionings were done without permitting lawyers of those questioned to be present.
1Malaysia? Let’s wait and watch how such slogans and Barisan rhetoric measure when young Malaysians die mysteriously among our “custodians” of law and order.