DAP has expressed support for the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock in pursuing a judicial review of the Attorney General’s decision to classify the case as “no further action” (NFA).
In a joint statement posted on the party’s Facebook page on Sunday (June 8), DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo and secretary-general Anthony Loke called on Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to explain why he believes there is insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone over Teoh’s death.
“We have been informed that action is being considered to challenge the decision of the NFA in court by way of judicial review by the family of Teoh Beng Hock.
“We support this action and also call upon the Attorney General to review his decision and push ahead with charges against those responsible for Teoh Beng Hock’s death without further delay,” the statement read.
The Attorney General reportedly classified the case as NFA on May 21, following the submission of investigation papers by the police, and informed the family’s lawyers of the decision in a letter dated May 30.
The statement also highlighted that the Court of Appeal had previously ruled Teoh’s death was the result of “an unlawful act or acts of persons unknown, inclusive of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers who were involved in the arrest and investigation of the deceased.”
In a related civil suit, the government and MACC admitted liability for negligence leading to Teoh’s death. The family was awarded RM600,000 in compensation and RM60,000 in costs.
DAP emphasised that while the responsibility to investigate lies with the police, only the Attorney General has the constitutional discretion to prosecute.
“He must explain why he is unable to do so in this case, particularly in light of the decisions of the Court of Appeal and the civil proceedings in the High Court,” the statement added.
Teoh, political secretary to former Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead at the age of 30 on 16 July 2009, after giving a statement at the MACC office on the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, Selangor.
Meanwhile, the family’s legal representative, Ramkarpal Singh, criticised the Attorney General’s conclusion.
“It is disappointing that the AG has come to the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence, as the police have had ample time to investigate this tragedy since 2009.
“His findings, particularly on the question of why he says there is insufficient evidence as a general statement, do not, in any way, overcome the family’s real concerns that such investigations were not properly and professionally conducted,” said the Bukit Gelugor MP.
He added that the family is considering legal action and will announce their decision in due course.