Demands are growing for the cause of death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock to be included in the scope of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

National Council of Justices of the Peace secretary-general M Ramalingam said the terms of reference must include the cause of Teoh’s death because it was of national interest.

NONE "What is of paramount concern to the deceased's family and the country at large is the cause of death and nothing else.

"This would certainly be a fitting tribute to the unwed mother and child, the parents and the mourning public thus calming the nation at this trying time of our history," he said.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced that a royal commission would be formed to probe MACC’s investigation procedures and determine if Teoh’s human rights was violated by the commission.

However, the cause of Teoh’s death is to be determined by another inquiry, through an inquest by a coroner based on provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Responding to this, Ramalingam expressed concern that the inquest may not have the “force and efficacy” of a royal commission, which has wide ranging powers.

Suhakam may join the fray

Teoh, 30, was found dead on July 16 on the fifth floor landing of Plaza Masalam a few hours after being questioned by Selangor MACC at its headquarters on the 14th floor of the building.

He was the political aide of Selangor executive council member Ean Yong Hian Wah, who is being probed along with at least six others, for alleged misappropriation of state constituency funds.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) is mulling whether to endorse calls for the royal commission to include the cause of Teoh’s death as part of its investigations.

NONE “We will discuss this during our meeting and we will determine our stand later,” said Suhakam commissioner N Siva Subramaniam ( far left ).

Suhakam’s Complaints and Investigation Working Group is expected to meet on July 30.

Siva Subramaniam said this to Pakatan Rakyat Youth wing leaders yesterday after receiving a memorandum urging Suhakam to intervene in the limited scope of the royal commission.

Led by PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan, the Pakatan Youth delegation also suggested that the royal commission panel should also include NGO and opposition members.

“This is prevent the public from having tainted views of the make-up of the royal commission,” said Nasrudin.

Previous complaints against MACC

At the meeting, Siva Subramaniam also said the human rights commission was of the view that MACC’s marathon interrogation on Teoh was inhumane and a form of “mental torture”.

He also revealed that Suhakam had previously received complaints about MACC’s interrogation tactics involving a Road Transport Department officer who was allegedly assaulted by investigators in Malacca.

“We are not satisfied because there has been no action taken by the authorities since,” said Siva Subramiam.

A Suhakam statement on July 17 had called for the government to ratify and accede to the United Nation’s Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Najib has maintained that Teoh’s death falls under the ambit of the Criminal Procedure Code and thus the inquest was the best method to determine his cause of death.