Cheaper Closer Long Overdue Psm Moots Rm1m Bounty For Beng Hock S Case

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Rather than dangling RM10 million to hunt down a transnational fugitive, the government could begin closer to home and at just a tenth of the cost, suggested PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan.
He mooted offering a RM1 million bounty for information regarding those responsible for the death of former DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock, whose family has been denied closure for 16 years.
“This case should be easier to solve and RM1 million should be more than sufficient to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he told Malaysiakini.
He was responding to PKR assemblyperson Chua Wei Kiat’s call on the government to offer a RM10 million reward to track down fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, for his role in the 1MDB scandal.
Wanted businessperson Low Taek JhoThis is after it was revealed that the Penang-born businessperson could be in Shanghai, where he is purportedly working as a “behind-the-scenes strategist”.
Arutchelvan believes that it would be easier to hunt down those behind Teoh’s death because MACC’s recent apology to his family is effectively an admission of guilt and narrows the spotlight.
“The royal commission of inquiry (RCI) has already identified three officers who conducted the main interrogations while the family have always said six officers - so that is further narrowing done,” he added.
‘MACC must be held fully accountable’
In 2011, then minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz revealed that the RCI into Teoh’s death determined that the political aide had taken his own life.
Although this conclusion aligns with the official explanation, Nazri emphasised that the RCI found the suicide was triggered by continuous and aggressive interrogation by MACC officers.
The three officers are former Selangor investigations unit head Hishamudin Hashim, investigation officer Anuar Ismail and assistant superintendent Ashraf Yunus.
Since Teoh was in the custody of MACC, Arutchelvan said the commission cannot blame external factors for his death.
“The Latin term ‘loco parentis’ refers to those entrusted with custody and care - in this case, the MACC,” said Arutchelvan. 
“They must be held fully accountable for what happened under their watch. Bringing Teoh’s killers to justice might just be easier than catching Low because this time, the suspects are right here at home,” he added.
A memorial service was held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to mark the 16th anniversary of Teoh’s death, where his family reaffirmed their unwavering stance that truth matters more than apologies or compensation.
In 2009, Teoh, a political aide to then-Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead after overnight questioning by the MACC at its then-headquarters in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam.
While the 2011 RCI concluded that Teoh was driven to suicide following aggressive interrogation, the Court of Appeal in 2014 declared that his death was caused, or hastened, by unlawful acts, including those committed by MACC officers.
In a fresh blow to the family, the Attorney-General’s Chambers announced in May this year that it would take no further action, despite the case having been reopened for investigation. - Mkini

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