The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has stated that police investigations into Teoh Beng Hock’s death did not uncover sufficient evidence to justify charging any individuals, leading to the case being classified as no further action (NFA).
This brief clarification comes in response to public criticism over the authorities’ decision to conclude the case without any charges being brought.
In 2009, Teoh, a political aide to then-Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead after an overnight interrogation at the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam.
A Royal Commission of Inquiry in 2011 concluded that Teoh had been driven to suicide following aggressive interrogation. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal found that his death had been caused or hastened by unlawful acts, including those committed by MACC officers.
On 21 November last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered police to complete their investigation within six months after Appeals Court judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh allowed a judicial review application filed by Teoh’s parents. The family had accused police of targeting them instead of pursuing MACC officers implicated in the case.
Police claimed that the investigation was hindered by a lack of evidence and the refusal of some witnesses to come forward. The AGC’s statement did not address why the investigation was conducted under Section 342 of the Penal Code (wrongful confinement) instead of under Section 302 (murder).
In response to the decision, Teoh’s sister, Teoh Lee Lan, said her family was deeply disappointed and criticised the move as contradicting earlier promises made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“The same MACC remains unaccountable. The same police force refuses to investigate the MACC. The same opaque conclusions are drawn and the same murderers walk free,” she said at a press conference held at the Karpal Singh & Co law firm in Petaling Jaya.
She recalled that on 1 August last year, Anwar had urged the Teoh family to place their trust in the “new police force” and “new system” under his administration.
“But what has this so-called ‘new system’ given the Teoh family? Only continued disappointment,” she said.
Lee Lan reiterated her family’s dissatisfaction with the choice to investigate the case under Section 342 rather than Section 302, in line with the 2014 appellate court ruling.
She demanded accountability from the Prime Minister, criticising the NFA decision for prolonging her family’s suffering.
“If Malaysia Madani means perpetuating a system of darkness and oppression, what is the point of political change?” she asked.
“Was the vision of reform that Beng Hock once dreamed of, and the promises of justice the Teoh family believed in, merely pawns in the game of seizing power?”
She emphasised that Anwar had earlier assured the family and public that the investigation would reach a definitive conclusion and deliver justice.
“We urge the prime minister to honour his promises. The people of Malaysia placed their hopes in the Pakatan Harapan-led unity government for institutional reforms and accountability. Our elderly parents cannot endure endless delays. It is time to fulfil the pledge of a new Malaysia and ensure justice prevails,” she said.
During Pakatan Harapan’s first term in government under then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the cabinet had agreed to reopen the investigation. Before that, two special teams had been formed in 2011 and 2015, but both probes also ended with NFA classifications.
In February this year, police announced plans to use 3D crime scene reconstruction technology in the renewed investigation. However, by April, the family accused police of repeatedly questioning them instead of MACC officers.
Later that month, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Shuhaily Zain claimed the family was uncooperative, a claim they strongly denied. Shuhaily also said the investigation was hampered by the passage of time, difficulties in contacting witnesses, and refusals to testify.