Teoh Family Outlines Demands For International Expert To Probe Beng Hock S Death

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The list, which was shared with Malaysiakini, demanded that the government invite a renowned international criminal investigation expert, in consultation with the victim’s family, to launch an independent, professional, and transparent investigation into Beng Hock’s death.
Malaysiakini approached Lee Lan to clarify her demands following her “double standards” accusation against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary, who suggested there was no need to grant the Teoh family’s request for international experts to examine Beng Hock’s death.
Lee Lan said the new probe should be wider and more thorough, invoking Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, to examine the culpability of individuals who used illegal acts that caused Beng Hock’s death.
Teoh Lee Lan during a memorial to commemorate the 16th anniversary of Teoh Beng Hock’s death on July 27She said that this should include MACC officers, as ruled in the Court of Appeal by judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer.
“The forensic statement of Dr Pornthip on pre-fall injury on Beng Hock’s neck must be taken into consideration,” she said, referring to popular Thai forensic pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, who was previously appointed to examine Beng Hock’s death.
Pornthip made several explosive allegations at Beng Hock’s inquest in 2009, suggesting, amongst other things, that the political aide could have been strangled before falling from the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam.
“The international criminal investigation expert must have the full and direct command of the investigation, with support from Malaysian authorities.
“This means, whenever the expert requires the police to make an arrest and interrogation, requires new expert opinions from pathologists, chemists, DNA or data analysts, requires translators or investigation assistants, the government must fully cooperate with the international expert,” Lee Lan said.
Official invitation needed
She added that 15 years ago, the Teoh family contacted an eminent Taiwanese-American forensic scientist, Henry Lee Chang-Yu, to assist in the investigation into Beng Hock’s death. 
However, Lee Lan said that the forensic scientist reportedly replied that he could only join the investigation with an official invitation from the Malaysian government.
“That’s the reason we need an official invitation from the Malaysian government.
ADS“Since the first police investigation in 2009, everything has been going wrong. The police immediately classified the case as sudden death; the police did not summon MACC officers immediately for interrogation or confiscate their mobile phones and laptops, which gave them sufficient time to destroy all evidence. 
“A leaked internal MACC letter accused Hishamuddin Hashim of secretly providing his DNA and of habitually pulling witnesses’ waist belts back and forth, yet there was no investigation into these accusations.
“Police also failed to probe why Klang MACC officers knew someone had died at MACC Selangor at 7am, whilst Beng Hock’s body was only discovered at 1.30pm by a cleaner, Lee Lan said.
Hishammuddin was the Selangor MACC deputy director at the time of Beng Hock’s death.
Although he had disclaimed active involvement in the graft-busting operation which led to Beng Hock’s death, a royal commission of inquiry (RCI), however, found that he had played an instrumental role in the tragedy.
“The Teoh family still prefers Lee and his team to be invited as the international criminal investigation expert,” Lee Lan added.
‘Report must be made public’
Lee Lan said that to guarantee the international expert’s complete independence, an advisory team should be formed consisting of distinguished figures with in-depth knowledge of Beng Hock’s case or human rights.
She listed Hamid, Suhakam chairperson Hishamudin Yunus, Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights Malaysia representative Edmund Bon, former Bar president and Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim, and Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh.
“After the investigation, the full report, including recommendations, must be made public to show that it is open and transparent.
“The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) must exercise its constitutional responsibility to prosecute wrongdoers in accordance with Malaysian laws,” Lee Lan added.
In 2009, Beng Hock, who was then-Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah’s aide, was found dead after overnight questioning at Selangor MACC, which was then headquartered at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.
A 2011 royal commission of inquiry ruled that he was driven to suicide due to aggressive interrogation.
However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled his death was caused or accelerated by unlawful acts, including those of MACC officers.
On Nov 21 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered the police to complete the investigation into Beng Hock’s death within six months.
In May this year, the AGC ultimately classified the case as no further action. - Mkini

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