I am shocked and outraged by the suspicious death of Teoh Beng Hock, political secretary of Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, who was taken in for questioning by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday. As if the selective persecution of Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers by the MACC was not bad enough, 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 Teoh’s death.

The shameless press conference this afternoon by MACC director of investigations Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdul is the biggest insult to the death of an innocent young man, and to Malaysians at large. The explanation given by him simply flies in the face of logic. To begin with, the MACC must operate within acceptable guidelines. Even the police stops interrogating suspects at 6pm.

Did the MACC think it holds powers greater than the PDRM when it interrogated Teoh 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 the MACC unless accompanied by their legal counsel.

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

YB Elizabeth Wong
State Assemblyman (Bukit Lanjan)
Selangor State Exco