He was to be married tomorrow - Malaysiakini

Jul 16, 09 9:08pm

Teo Beng Hock was supposed to register to be married tomorrow, revealed DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang.

Expressing disbelief over his death, Lim said: "No one in his right senses will imagine to commit suicide a day before he is slated to be married."

The veteran politician added that the entire nation is shocked by the "first death of custody under the MACC."

"MACC's reputation is at an all time low. It must satisfy Teo's family and the public that there was no foul play or abuse involved," he added.

He was responding to reports that the 30-year-old political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah fell to his death from the MACC Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam.

Teo was taken in for questioning yesterday in relation to a probe by MACC pertaining to its investigations of seven Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons.

His boss cannot believe it

Meanwhile, Ean Yong also refused to believe that Teo would have taken his own life.

"He was going to get married, why would he want to commit suicide," the visibly distraught DAP leader told reporters in Shah Alam.

According to the state exco, Teo looked normal before heading off to the MACC office.

"He looked calm. Before he went to the MACC office, (lawyer M) Manoharan and myself talked to him about how to answer the questions.

"If there was any problems, I should be the one (to face action). I don't see any reason for him to commit suicide," he said.

This is what other Pakatan leaders had to say about Teo's death:

Lau Weng San, DAP Kampung Tunku assemblyperson

MACC should provide a full explanation. I would ask that the investigating officers be suspended until a thorough investigation is done.

It is difficult to continue cooperating with MACC (on the investigation of corruption charges) when our personal safety is not guaranteed. They better arrest me than record my statement if I am going to subjected to 'torture'.

MACC should get its priority straight. This is a case which involves (relatively) lower amount of money; it involves a few thousand, at most RM10 000. Why conduct an overnight investigation? There are other scandals which involve billions. What was the urgency for an all night probe when MACC has all the documents?

Teo was a healthy, energetic young man and his death comes as a shock. There was no need for him to commit suicide.

Teresa Kok, Selangor exco and DAP Kinrara assemblyperson

MACC has to be responsible for the death. There are a lot of questions being raised. Why did it (the investigation) drag on for so long? Why did MACC deny Teo access to a lawyer? Why should he (Teo) hang around the office (after he was released), and what sort of investigation was being carried out?

We are all very sad with the death of Teo which we hold MACC responsible for.

Hannah Yeoh, DAP Subang assemblyperson

I am extremely traumatised and shocked by Teo's death. I last spoke to him yesterday, after lunch, before MACC came to us. He was a friend of mine.

I do not know what to say because at the moment we do not know what really happened to him. I now fear for the safety of my assistant.

Elizabeth Wong, Selangor exco and PKR Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson

I am shocked and outraged. This tragic incident is another reminder of the recklessness of supposedly public institutions like the MACC in pursuing the goals of its political masters.

Let me be clear, I hold the MACC responsible for Teo's death. The shameless press conference this afternoon by MACC director of investigations Shukri Abdull is the biggest insult to the death of an innocent young man, and to Malaysians at large.

Does the MACC think it holds powers greater than the police when it interrogated Teo from 5pm to 4am the next day? In the face of such a frightening incident, I will not allow any of my staff to be taken in for questioning by MACC unless accompanied by their legal counsel.

The police must seal off Plaza Masalam and take into custody all those involved in the interrogation. Shukri should save whatever honour he and the MACC has left by resigning.

Tony Pua, DAP MP for Petaling Jaya Utara

Whatever it is, he was under their care. And it is fishing expedition, of people who will be the last person in the world to take money. This has gone completely over board.

Tan Seng Giaw , DAP MP for Kepong

We should let the police investigate first? Some people say there is foul play but let police investigate first.

Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR president

PKR is shocked and saddened by this incident. We want an immediate and thorough probe to be carried out by the police and MACC. Immediate action must be taken to ensure that justice is served.