Malaysia to probe agency linked to opposition politician's death

Fri, 07 Jan 2011

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak Friday said a commission was to probe the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigation procedures following the death of an opposition activist after a lengthy interrogation.

"We are establishing this royal commission of inquiry to ensure that there would be no abuse of power or of human rights and to look at the procedures relating to investigations by the MACC," he said.

The government has come under pressure to form the commission after an inquest into last year's death of Teoh Beng Hock on Wednesday delivered an open verdict.

Teoh served as political secretary to Selangor state legislator Ean Yong Hian Wah from the opposition Democratic Action Party.

He was found sprawled on the roof of a five-storey building adjoining the MACC state headquarters in July 2009 after undergoing nearly 11 hours of interrogation in the 14th floor of that building.

The interrogation was part of the MACC's controversial probe into alleged misappropriation of state funds by several opposition legislators.

The coroner's decision to ruled out both suicide and homicide met widespread criticism.

Teoh's family and various groups have demanded the establishment of a royal commission to investigate the cause of his death. A royal commission has wider powers to include policy recommendations.

Najib said under the law, the cause of death ought to be determined by an inquest and the attorney general has applied to the High Court for a revision of the coroner's findings.

Selangor is one of five states that came under opposition rule in the March 2008 general election.

The probe had sparked allegations of political persecution as the MACC has long been perceived as a stooge of the National Front coalition that has ruled the country for more than 50 years.

Teoh's death added another dark spot on the MACC's blighted image and has been a campaign issue for the opposition in local elections.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/361145,linked-opposition-politicians-death.html.