A candlelight vigil to commemorate the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock in Penang last night turned into a royal commission of inquiry (RCI)-bashing session.

NONE Held at the speakers square at the Esplanade, the party’s stalwarts spewed much venom on the recently released RCI report which declared that Teoh, under interrogation over allegations of corruption, had committed suicide in 2009.

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi ( left in photo ) went as far as saying that Teoh’s “murderers” are still on the loose and that party members have much anger to express over the matter but chose to remain civilised about it.

Ooi laid the blame squarely on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s administration, saying that it is during his tenure that several tragedies like Teoh’s death have occurred.

He was referring to another death at another Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) premises involving customs officer Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamad, who was arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown against errant customs officers allegedly guilty of receiving bribes.

NONE “You have blood on your hands, Putrajaya. Hell is waiting for you!” stormed Ooi, adding that he could continue swearing but would prefer to fight this battle according to the law.

“The actual culprits or murderers of Teoh have still not been handed over to the police so that justice can be served,” he added.

He warned that if the MACC was not reorganised or put through a major overhaul, there would probably be more deaths in the future.

Ooi condemned the officers for not following the standard operating procedures when interrogating witnesses.

He added that it was shocking because these deaths did not happen at the roadside, coffee shop or cemetery but at the premises of the MACC.

“Is SPRM (MACC) to be known as Syarikat Pembunuhan Rakyat Malaysia (Malaysian Citizen Killing Company)?” he thundered, in a play on the commission’s Malay acronym.

Officers suspended pending internal probe

The RCI’s report on Teoh’s death was officially handed over to the Agong on June 22, but the MACC only caved in to increasing public pressure and suspended the three officers “held responsible" by the RCI on July 23, pending an internal probe.

Yesterday, the MACC announced in a statement that it is forming a high-powered task force to study the TBH-RCI report and decide on how to implement suggestions on improvements to its organisation.

The DAP however finds the action on the officers by MACC as “too little, too late”.

NONE DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang claimed that unlawful interrogation techniques used by the commission’s officers revealed in the report, demands sterner actions.

Meanwhile, about 100 turned up for the vigil which went on peacefully despite the fiery speeches by the state DAP leaders, who included Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik.

Several plainclothes policemen and Special Branch officers were spotted in the crowd.

The gathering also heard support speeches in support of the six Parti Sosialis Malaysia activists held under the Emergency Ordinance, who include Sungai Siput parliamentarian Dr D Jeyakumar.

Signatures were collected from vigil participants for a petition demanding the release of the six.

NONE Meanwhile, Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer reminded the public of other cases like the fatal police shooting of teenager Aminulrasyid Amzah and the death in custody of A Kugan.

He demanded an end to the increasing powers of this “autocratic regime” which have led to the unaccountable deaths.

“Because if it does not end, this (deaths) might happen to you or me,” he said, adding that some government institutions like the police and MACC have become too powerful.

Rayer, who is a lawyer, demanded that the three MACC officers be dragged to court on murder charges.

“Do not charge them with second degree murder or homicide. But charge them with first degree murder,” he told the crowd.

“If they are found guilty, hang them!” he exclaimed, adding that this would ensure that the interrogation process of witnesses does not go “overboard” in the future.