Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was told to check on the 'inaction' of police over the investigation of the death of Teoh Beng Hock, ten months after Court of Appeal had ruled that MACC officers had accelerated his death.

DAP acting president Tan Kok Wai said today the appellate court had ordered Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail to reopen the probe but as yet, there has been no information regarding the investigation.

"Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar is still unable to update us on any progress," said Tan.

"We urge the home minister to ensure the police carry out their duties. We want the justice to prevail, not only for Teoh but to all Malaysians who had lost their lives in interrogations and police detentions," urged Tan ( photo ), who is also Cheras parliamentarian.

Teoh, the 30-year-old aide to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was brought in as a witness by the MACC on July 15, 2009. He was found dead the following day after falling from the 14th floor of the Selangor MACC headquarters in Shah Alam.

On Sept 5 last year, a three-member Court of Appeal panel had reversed the High Court's open verdict decision, ruling that Teoh's death was " accelerated by unlawful acts by MACC officers".

Teoh's family had sued the MACC and ten of its officers as well as the government for negligence and assault when Teoh was in their custody which resulted in his subsequent death.

'Suspend officers'

In the press conference, Tan renewed his call for the three officers named in the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Teoh's death, to be suspended pending the investigation.

The RCI report had singled out former deputy director of MACC Selangor Hishamuddin Hashim, investigation officer Arman Alies and assistant investigating officer Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus, for their actions that had led to his death.

Hishamuddin was later promoted as Negeri Sembilan MACC chief and later helmed the Sabah MACC .

On July 26, DAP's central committee will hold a memorial ceremony in Nirwana Memorial Park with Teoh's family present.

In May this year, Teoh’s family was paid RM600,000 by Putrajaya and MACC in damages and RM60,000 in costs, after admitting negligence on their part which had resulted in Teoh’s death.

BARATHI SELVAM is an intern with Malaysiakini .