Selangor MB questions need for inquest
(NST) SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has questioned the need to have two different proceedings — an inquest and a Royal Commission of Inquiry — to investigate the death of Teoh Beng Hock.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the two proceedings were inter-connected with the same witnesses. He also expressed his reservations on the inquest to probe Teoh's death.
"We feel that a royal commission is the best forum to investigate this and ensure justice for Teoh and his family."
Khalid said the state would send its lawyers to hold a watching brief in both proceedings as Teoh was a state employee. The state wants to ensure that his rights and that of his family are taken care of.
Khalid also said state representatives who would be called up would need to inform the state legal adviser and they would be given a list of lawyers whom they could consult.
Speaking after the state executive council meeting here yesterday, he also dismissed claims that the issue was being politicised.
"They are childish to say such things. It's a serious matter where a death has happened. I don't know how they can link politics to the death."
Selangor exco member Teresa Kok insisted that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had taken only the files of seven Chinese assemblymen in the Petaling district and had yet to investigate any Malay assemblymen.
She said this was contrary to MACC's claim that it was also investigating Malay assemblymen.
On claims that her previous statement on this issue was racially inflammatory, Kok said she was only stating a fact. She said the Petaling district officer had confirmed in writing that only the files of seven assemblymen, all of whom were Chinese, had been taken.
She was referring to the New Straits Times front-page report on July 16 that quoted a MACC source as saying that five Malay assemblymen were also being investigated.
Of the five, two were executive councillors, the report said.
Kok had alleged that the seven Chinese state assemblymen were under investigation over "the allocation of funds to schools, mosques and community associations".
Besides her, the other six are Ean Yong Hian Wah (Sri Kembangan), Dr Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan), Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya), Lau Weng San (Kampung Tunku) and Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing).
