DAP has reiterated demands for criminal charges against three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers who were implicated in the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock.

At a press conference today, DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke said the recent MACC announcement that it will take disciplinary action against the trio, was insufficient.

NONE “Anything short of criminal charges is not acceptable. Someone has died. You shouldn't treat it as just a discipline matter,” said Loke ( middle ).

Earlier today, MACC chief Abu Kassim Mohamed said the commission are recommending disciplinary action against the trio but it must first be reviewed by an internal complaints committee.

Abu Kassim said the attorney-general’s chambers have cleared the trio of wrongdoing and will not take criminal action against them.

The trio are former Selangor MACC investigations unit head Hishammuddin Hashim, investigation officer Mohd Anuar Ismail and assistant superintendent Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus.

No closure

In July last year, a Royal Commission of Inquiry had implicated the trio of “ aggressive and inappropriate ” tactics which drove Teoh into committing suicide.

Teoh was found dead on July 16, 2009 at the fifth floor landing of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam.

NONE He was believed to have plunged to his death from Selangor MACC headquarters located on the 14th floor, where he was held overnight for questioning.

DAP deputy publicity chief Teo Nie Ching, who was also at the press conference, said disciplinary action alone was insufficient to provide closure for Teoh’s family.

She pointed out that the family had endured a lot of suffering while those implicated walked free.

“As a matter of fact, Hishammuddin has been promoted as the director of MACC in Negeri Sembilan ever since the incident,” said Teo.

Reenactment of Teoh's final moments

Teo, who is a trained lawyer, also pointed out that even the Bar Council of the opinion that the three MACC officers should be charged for causing death by negligence, under Section 304 (a) of the Penal Code.

“What we want is a closure to this case, and justice be served to Teoh's family so they will move on for the better in their lives,” said Loke.

Meanwhile, DAP will also present a variety of events next month  to commemorate the third anniversary of the Teoh’s death to remind Malaysians of the continuous struggle to uphold his justice.

“We are conducting a documentary screening, theater show, and a forum on transitional justice to continue the fight for justice,” said Loke.

The two-week event also includes a book launch, forum and a theater performance. The play, which reenacts Teoh’s final moments, will be conducted by an all-Malay crew from Rumah Anak Teater.

Teo explained that the choice of ethnicity was made consciously in order to explain to the audience that Teoh’s death was not a racial issue and it could happen to anyone.

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