Investigation into Teoh Beng Hock’s death reopened, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the government has agreed to reopen the investigation into the death of former Selangor exco assistant Teoh Beng Hock.

According to Berita Harian, he assured that this investigation will be conducted transparently and fairly without any external interference.

The Prime Minister conveyed this to the late Teoh’s family, who met him in Putrajaya today.

Anwar stated that during the meeting, he also expressed the government’s stance in agreeing to have the police reopen the investigation into Beng Hock’s death.

“Today, I met with the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock in Putrajaya and had an extensive discussion with his parents, Teng Shuw Hoi and Teoh Leong Hwee, as well as his child, Teoh Er Jia, and his sibling, Teoh Lee Lan.

“I listened to all their grievances and several requests from the family. I have closely followed this case for a long time and understand the sadness and suffering of the family, who have long fought for justice for the deceased.

“I assure you that this investigation will be conducted transparently and fairly, without any external interference, particularly considering the Court of Appeal’s views on this case from September 5, 2014,” he said on his Facebook page today.

Beng Hock was found dead on July 16, 2009, at the Plaza Masalam building in Shah Alam, Selangor, after giving testimony at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office on the 14th floor of the same building.

The deceased was the political secretary to the Seri Kembangan State Assemblyman, Ean Yong Hian Wah, who was then the State Exco for Local Government, Illegal Factory Demolition, and New Village Development in Selangor.

On January 5, 2011, the Shah Alam Coroner’s Court ruled that Beng Hock’s death was not due to suicide or murder and found no third party involved in his death. On July 21, 2011, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Beng Hock’s death concluded that his death was due to suicide.

On September 5, 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned the open verdict in Beng Hock’s death case and determined that his death resulted from unlawful actions by one or more unknown individuals.