TEOH DEATH: More questions than answers

POLICE investigations into DAP political secretary Teoh Beng Hock’s death revealed he died four to five hours after he was last seen in the Selangor headquarters of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.

This new evidence now raises the question: Was Teoh really released at 3.45am, as the MACC claims?
MACC director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdul told reporters last Thursday that Teoh "was last seen by one of our officers at 6am" that day, sleeping on a settee at the MACC Selangor headquarters.

Police said they have completed 60 per cent of their investigation into the death of Teoh, aide to Selangor State executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah.

Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said yesterday that Teoh "most likely fell from the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam", where the MACC office is located.

He also said Teoh's Sony Ericsson P1 handphone, wallet and backpack were in the possession of MACC officers and that police have taken them.

“The forensics unit found pieces or components of a window on the 5th floor where Teoh had fallen,” Khalid said.

It is understood that the Chemistry Department will be matching the window latch taken from the MACC office to the pieces found.

Khalid also said the post-mortem indicated Teoh had died four to five hours before his body was found at 1.30pm on Thursday — about two to three hours after he was allegedly last seen at 6am.

The case is still being classified as sudden death.

In another development, Kajang Municipal councillor Tan Boon Wah denied he was not cooperating with the police. He said he had to be away in Johor during the weekend, and came to the Shah Alam police headquarters at 9 last night, after attending Teoh's funeral in Malacca.

He was issued an order to be present at the Shah Alam police station. Tan was there until 12.30 this morning, and he said he gave two statements to the police, one was to assist in investigations into Teoh’s death, and the other was on a report that Tan lodged with the police on MACC’s alleged mistreatment of him while he was interrogated.

Khalid also said CCTV footage taken from Plaza Masalam had shown Teoh going into the building but not coming out of it.

He said police would be recording statements from Teoh’s boss and State executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah and his lawyer, Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M. Manoharan.

So far, police have recorded statements from 33 witnesses, 26 of them MACC officers, including Teoh's investigating officer.

Federal CID chief Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin said the others included five security guards, Teoh's brother and a pathologist.

“Bukit Aman is also closely monitoring this case and we promise a transparent investigation,” said Bakri, adding that statements from at least six witnesses would be recorded by this week.

Bakri also said police would be requesting an inquest into Teoh’s death.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, who was briefed on the case at the Selangor police headquarters about 9.30am yesterday, said investigations would be completed as soon as possible and the findings released to the media.

Meanwhile, Manoharan reiterated the MACC had no right to bar him from accompanying Teoh during his questioning as a witness.

“They blatantly refused me. I argued with MACC officers and one of them even showed his fist at me. I have proof of that in photos," said Manoharan.

Ean Yong said Pakatan Rakyat would continue to press Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh’s death.

“Najib must state his stand tonight. We also want MACC to give a full explanation. It cannot say it is clear of any responsibility for Teoh’s death,” said Ean Yong.

Meanwhile, Selangor MACC director Ja’afar Mahad said full cooperation is being given to the police, while an internal inquiry would take place later.

Asked if he could explain why Teoh’s belongings were in the possession of MACC officers, Ja’afar declined comment. (MMail)