Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar today said that an inquest to probe the circumstances surrounding political aide Teoh Beng Hock's death will be held from July 29 to Aug 12.

Khalid told reporters that the police investigation into the matter will be wrapped by soon so that the inquest can proceed.

Khalid was also previously reported that the police investigation will wrap up just on time before the inquest takes place.

NONE Teoh, who was Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah's political secretary, was found dead in the corridor on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, last Thursday.

The 30-year-old was believed to have fallen from the MACC office located on the 14th floor.

He was being interrogated as a witness into allegations of misappropriation of Selangor state funds. Teoh was buried last Monday in Semenyih.

The inquest was announced by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on Wednesday. He also announced the establishment of a royal commission to look into the MACC's interrogation techniques.

Several quarters, including Teoh's family members, have expressed their disappointment that the royal commission would not look into the circumstances relating to Teoh's death.

They felt that an inquest was not sufficient to discover the truth.

Najib: We want to know the truth too

Najib meanwhile responded to this criticism today by saying that the decision to hold the inquest was in accordance with the laws of the country.

He added that Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail will be releasing a statement soon to explain the details of both the inquest and the royal commission.

NONE "We must adhere to the laws of the country. Please don't take (political) advantage of this case. Our intention is to find out the truth," he told reporters in Bangi.

"We are interested in the truth. Whether in the form of royal commission or an inquest, we'll find the truth and the truth will be made public and that's the most important thing.

He also said that he was prepared to meet Teoh's family as per their requirement yesterday.

The family had said that they had wanted to meet the premier to inform him of their displeasure in the limited terms of reference of the royal commission.

AG explains

In a statement issued later, Gani defended the creation of an inquiry into the cause of Teoh's death saying that it would be duplicitous for a Royal Commission to be created for that purpose.

lingam tape panel meeting 031007 abdul gani patail "A magistrate can dispense with an inquiry if he is satisfied of the cause of death," adding that in other cases such as sudden death, it is mandatory to hold an inquiry.

Gani said he had acted under section 339 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code to direct the Magistrate to hold an inquiry into the cause of Teoh's death.

In addition, the attorney-general said that the government has decided to set up a royal commission of enquiry.

"The functions of this royal commission must not be confused with an inquiry under the CPC," he said, adding that Section 2 of the Royal Commission of Enquiry Act 1950 makes reference to the conduct of government officers and departments for public welfare.

Welfare matters he said, relates to the well being of society and "cannot be stretched to cover an inquiry into the death of this nature."

He said a royal commission of enquiry was set up to look into the tragedies of the Penang Ferry Terminal and Bright Sparkles Fireworks case where many lives were lost.

"But the royal enquiry was not set up to look into the cause of death of a person. But rather it was set up to enquire matters pertaining to administrative, management and compliance with safety procedure and standards," he added.

Therefore, he said, it is only fitting that the court of law determines the cause of death.