On September 5 last year, 3 Court of Appeal Judges, Datuk Mohamad Arif Md Yusof, Datuk Mah Weng Kwai and Datuk Hamid Sultan Abu Backer, ruled unanimously that “the death of Teoh Beng Hock was caused by multiple injuries from a fall from the 14th floor of Plaza Mazalam, a result of which was accelerated by an unlawful act or acts of person unknown, inclusive of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers involved in the arrest and investigation of the deceased.”
In his judgment, Datuk Arif has instructed even said that the Inspector-General of Police must commence investigations while the Attorney-General must frame charges deemed fit.
6 months has lapsed, IGP should now answer the family and the concerned public, what have the police done to identify and charge the MACC officers who should be held responsible for the death of Teoh Beng Hock?
While we are saddened by the fact that no one has yet to be charged for the death of Teoh Beng Hock, we notice that one of the MACC officers who last interrogated Teoh Beng Hock, Hishamuddin Hashim, is now promoted as the Director of MACC Sabah. [1]
The RCI report clearly pointed out Hishammuddin Hashim (“the arrogant leader” who is also former deputy director of MACC Selangor), together with Arman Alies (the investigation officer known as “the bully”) and Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus (the assistant investigating officer known as “the abuser”), was guilty of excessive use of violence on Beng Hock.
Not only that, Commissioner Datuk T. Selventhiranathan said on April 20, 2011 during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh’s death that Hishamuddin had lied when he earlier claimed ignorance of police reports against his officers, which accused them of physical abuse.
Besides, on April 27, 2011, MACC Asst. Superintendent Azeem Hafeez Jamaluddin told the Royal Commission of Inquiry that Hishamuddin ordered him to testify that Hairul Ilham had led the probe so as to cover up Hishammuddin’s role in the investigation against Selangor executive councillor, Ean Yong Hian Wah.
How can an officer of such quality be deemed fit to be promoted to lead MACC Sabah? Paul Low and Tan Sri Abu Kassim owe us an explanation.