Teoh Beng Hock, political secretary of Sri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead at Plaza Masalam, nine floors below the MACC office. Teoh was assisting the MACC in an investigation into the alleged abuse of constituency funds by several assemblymen.SHAH ALAM: The aide to a Selangor state executive council (exco) member who was assisting the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in an investigation was found dead at Plaza Masalam, nine floors below the MACC office.
A janitor found the body of Teoh Beng Hock, 30, the political secretary of Sri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, sprawled on the fifth floor of the 20-storey building at about 1:30pm on Thursday.
Teoh was taken to the MACC office at 6pm on Wednesday to assist in the graftbusting agency’s investigation into the alleged abuse of constituency development funds by several state assemblymen.
The Plaza Masalam building where Teoh fell to his death.MACC officers had earlier that day raided Ean Yong’s office at the state secretariat building, seizing a desktop computer belonging to the state government and a laptop computer belonging to Teoh.
MACC director of investigation Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull said Teoh -- a former journalist with Sin Chew Daily -- was released at about 3:45am on Thursday after his officers had finished recording his statement.
He said Teoh did not go back but was seen loitering in the building and had asked to rest for a while at the pantry.
“No one saw him after that until we were alerted that a body had been found on the fifth floor at about 1:30pm,” he said, adding that Teoh was a witness in the MACC investigation.
The MACC office, located on the 14th floor of the building, does not have any CCTVs installed.
Selangor Chief Police Officer Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, who was present at the scene on Thursday evening, said police would be interviewing the people who were last seen with Teoh.
“There is not going to be any cover-up in this investigation, and I assure the public and his family that we will conduct a thorough investigation into his death.
“We have requested for a private as well as a government pathologist to be present and assist us in our investigations,’’ he said.
Since Tuesday, the MACC has raided the offices and service centres of several assemblymen, including Ean Yong and Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San.
Others under investigation are Teresa Kok (Kinrara assemblyman), Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan), Dr Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing) and Hannah Yeoh (Subang Jaya).
Thorough and open investigation
DAP leaders asked for a thorough investigation into Teoh’s death.
Party deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw said the incident should not have happened and that the police must investigate the case.
”It is a sad thing,” he told reporters after attending a Public Accounts Committee hearing in KUALA LUMPUR on Thursday.
DAP publicity secretary Tony Pua said the MACC should be held responsible for Teoh’s death since he was under its care.
”Whatever it is, he was under its (MACC’s) care. It was going on a fishing expedition when (conducting investigation on DAP state assemblymen),” he said.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the MACC should stop its “political persecution” of Pakatan Rakyat members, especially DAP leaders and members, that does not serve the interest of fighting corruption.
“Such political games have caused the loss of life of a bright young idealistic DAP member,” said Lim, who is also Chief Minister of Penang.
“There must be full transparency and accountability,” he said.
Lim said the party extended its condolences to Teoh’s family for the tragic loss and assured them that all steps would be taken to ensure that the culprits responsible be punished.
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