Press Statement by Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy on 5 January 2023 in Kuala Lumpur

TBHTD urges the new government to set up new investigation team to probe the death of Teoh Beng Hock

Given that the police have yet to make any conclusion on the re-investigation on the death of Teoh Beng Hock since 2018, Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy (TBHTD) urges the new Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to set up a new investigation team, conducting thorough investigation on the death of Teoh at Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in 2009.

In the past four years, the former Home Ministers Muhyiddin Yassin and Hamzah Zainuddin did not exercise due diligence in probing the death of Teoh and possible human rights violation when he was under the custody of MACC.

In 2019, Muhyiddin openly criticised that the case had exhausted all avenues, but Teoh family was asking for more. During Hamzah’s term as Home Minister, TBHTD sought the assistance of members of parliament to pose questions on the investigation progress, but the Home Ministry refused to provide detailed information, on the ground that the investigation was still ongoing.

The new government must have the political will to tackle this long overdue issue. The Home Ministry should take the 2014 court of appeal verdict seriously, which ruled that one or more unknown persons, including MACC officers, caused the death of Teoh.

The new investigation must be based on the court of appeal verdict, probe again the death from all dimensions including murder and culpable homicide. Previous investigations were trying to prove Teoh “committed suicide”, which is neither neutral nor professional.

We urge Anwar not to forget the reason for his presence at the headquarter of Selangor MACC 14 years ago. Many Pakatan Rakyat leaders and elected representatives including him, gathered there to demand justice for Teoh Beng Hock, calling on MACC and the Najib government to explain his death.

Revealing the truth in the death of Teoh and bringing perpetrators to book will restore public confidence in the Home Ministry, the police and Attorney-General Chamber. This will be a decisive step to rebuild credible enforcement agencies that respect the rule of law.

Ng Yap Hwa

Chairperson

Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy