Minister: Don't blame MACC
Rahmah GhazaliPublished: Jul 16, 2009 8:06 PM | Updated: Jul 17, 2009 5:31 PM
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz cautioned against pointing the finger at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz cautions against pointing the finger at the MACC for Teoh's death.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz cautioned against pointing the finger at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for Teoh Beng Hock's death.
He was responding to reports that the 30-year-old political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah fell to his death from the MACC Selangor headquarters in Shah Alalm.
He was taken in for questioning yesterday in relation to a probe by MACC pertaining to its investigations of seven Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons.
MACC's investigation division director Shukri Abdull had told reporters earlier that Teoh was released at 3.45am but he continued to remain in the building.
Commenting on this, Nazri said: "I was informed by MACC earlier that he (Teoh) was released yesterday (early this morning)."
"Then he should have gone home (instead)....and how would we know that he would jump out of the building?" the de facto law minister added.
Nazri also said that since the circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear, Pakatan Rakyat should not jump to conclusions.
"Don't just accuse MACC of being responsible for this. If they (Pakatan) keep accusing them and their statements are made public, the people would form their opinions even before the investigation (on the death) is completed," he added.
Hold independent inquiry
However, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said the anti-corruption watchdog, which falls under the Prime Minister’s Department, should be held responsible.
Expressing shock over the incident, PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan said: "Since Teoh was taken to the MACC headquarters for questioning, it is very clear that he was under the custody of the commission."
"It is therefore clear that MACC is responsible for the death of Teoh as it failed to safeguard him. MACC must now face the facts and be held responsible," he added in a statement.
Arutchelvan said PSM wants an independent public inquiry into his death and those responsible to be prosecuted.
MCA also called for an independent inquiry in order to quell unwarranted rumours and safeguard the credibility of MACC.
Party spokesperson Gan Ting Siew said the police should launch a thorough investigation into the case to determine if there was any foul play.
He was responding to reports that the 30-year-old political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah fell to his death from the MACC Selangor headquarters in Shah Alalm.
He was taken in for questioning yesterday in relation to a probe by MACC pertaining to its investigations of seven Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons.MACC's investigation division director Shukri Abdull had told reporters earlier that Teoh was released at 3.45am but he continued to remain in the building.
Commenting on this, Nazri said: "I was informed by MACC earlier that he (Teoh) was released yesterday (early this morning)."
"Then he should have gone home (instead)....and how would we know that he would jump out of the building?" the de facto law minister added.
Nazri also said that since the circumstances surrounding the death remain unclear, Pakatan Rakyat should not jump to conclusions.
"Don't just accuse MACC of being responsible for this. If they (Pakatan) keep accusing them and their statements are made public, the people would form their opinions even before the investigation (on the death) is completed," he added.
Hold independent inquiry
However, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said the anti-corruption watchdog, which falls under the Prime Minister’s Department, should be held responsible.
Expressing shock over the incident, PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan said: "Since Teoh was taken to the MACC headquarters for questioning, it is very clear that he was under the custody of the commission."
"It is therefore clear that MACC is responsible for the death of Teoh as it failed to safeguard him. MACC must now face the facts and be held responsible," he added in a statement. Arutchelvan said PSM wants an independent public inquiry into his death and those responsible to be prosecuted.
MCA also called for an independent inquiry in order to quell unwarranted rumours and safeguard the credibility of MACC.
Party spokesperson Gan Ting Siew said the police should launch a thorough investigation into the case to determine if there was any foul play.
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