DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has urged the authorities to establish a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the death of Customs senior officer Ahmad Sarbani Mohamad.

He said that this should be considered in view of the public dissatisfaction over the outcome of the inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock.

Both Sarbani and Teoh had alleged plunged to their death after visiting the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) offices. An inquest on Teoh’s death was inconclusive and an RCI is under way.

Lim pointed out that the lengthy period before an inquest was being applied for - two months since police investigations began - should be viewed with suspicion .

“Clearly, the inquest proposal is strongly opposed by the MACC, which had right from the beginning disclaimed any responsibility for Sarbani’s death,” said Lim in a statement today.

He said that the same behaviour was exhibited following Teoh’s death on July 16, 2009 and the commission had even suggested at an early stage that he committed suicide. Later, during the RCI, its lawyer suggested it was an “honour suicide” .

Lim urged the cabinet to decide on the RCI on Sarbani’s death when they meet on Wednesday.

“As illustrated by the proceedings of the RCI into Teoh’s death, an RCI into Sarbaini’s is clearly not the best or most satisfactory solution - but definitely a better option than an inquest,” said Lim.

Sarbani had allegedly plunged to his death on April 7 after arriving at the Kuala Lumpur MACC headquarters to meet an officer who was investigating him for graft.

He and 61 other customs officers are being accused of money laundering and graft. His family and colleagues have maintained his innocence and claims that there is foul play.