DAP seeking AG’s explanation on Beng Hock case classification
PUCHONG: The DAP is seeking clarification from Attorney-General Tommy Thomas for his directive to reclassify investigation into the death of party aide, Teoh Beng Hock to wrongful confinement instead of homicide.
“I am surprised that the police are investigating the case under Section 342 of the Penal Code, which deals with wrongful confinement, as instructed by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
“Following this development, I had written another letter to Tommy Thomas on June 25 and we are awaiting his reply,” said DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng, in a statement today.
Recently, the Attorney-General reopened Teoh’s case but classified it under unlawful confinement, instead of homicide.
The move raised the ire of many as Pakatan Harapan has pledged to reopen the case of Teoh’s death as homicide should it come to power.
The matter drew friendly fire within Pakatan itself, with Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin accusing Teoh’s family of wanting more than justice despite being compensated via a civil suit.
DAP MP Ramkarpal Singh shot back at Muhyiddin, saying a civil suit settlement does not absolve the government from investigating the criminal nature of the case.
Lim, who is also Bagan MP, said that he had first written to Thomas on Nov 23, 2018, requesting for Teoh’s case to be reopened following a Cabinet decision on June 20 last year.
“The attorney-general had replied in a letter on Dec 4, 2018, that he had written to the inspector-general of police on July 17, 2018 to do so accordingly.
“In his reply, the attorney-general regretted that there was no progress and said he would press the police to continue with the investigations,” Lim said.
The Finance Minister admitted that the authorities dragged their feet on reopening Teoh’s case despite the issue being raised in the Cabinet several times.
On July 16, 2009, Teoh was found dead after falling nine floors from MACC’s former Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam, where he had been held overnight for questioning.
In 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned the coroner’s open verdict on Teoh’s death, ruling that unknown people were involved in his death.
Following the verdict, MACC agreed to pay RM600,000 to Teoh’s family to settle a negligence suit they brought against the commission.
