Appropriate action will be taken against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers who had breached investigation procedures when interrogating Teoh Beng Hock.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said there were existing laws that could be used on these officers, but stressed that investigation must be carried out beforehand.
“We will not delay to act against the officers but we also cannot `hang' them straightaway. Proper procedure will have to take place and it starts with investigating the incident and collecting evidence.
“Investigation papers must be opened and be submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers for further action.
“That is the procedure and procedures need to be followed,” he told reporters Thursday at a press conference on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Death of Teoh, which will be available to the public from Friday.
The RCI in an unanimous decision, had found that Teoh had been driven to commit suicide by “aggressive, relentless, oppressive and unscrupulous” interrogation by three MACC officers.
The three named were Selangor MACC deputy director Hishamuddin Hashim, and his officers Mohamad Anuar Ismail and Ashraf Mohd Yunus.
The 30-year-old political secretary to Ean Yong Hian Wah was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, Selangor, after giving a statement at the Selangor MACC office on the 14th floor of the same building.
Nazri said the RCI made several recommendations to the MACC including on qualifications and training of its officers, infrastructure and basic facilities at its offices and also to review its standard operating procedures to make it more effective.
“The government will inform the MACC on the need to ensure the recommendations are followed.
“This is for the commission's own good and for the sake of their good name. For instance, the report stated weaknesses in the interrogation process so MACC need to look at that.
“I don't see any reason for them to reject the recommendations. We will also provide additional funds and allocation will be provided to the MACC so that it can carry out the recommendations,” he said.
On whether Teoh's family would be awarded compensation, Nazri said the government would look at the list of recommendations made by the RCI and what would be implemented would be based on the list.
“So far, the policy decision that the government had made was to make the report public,” he said.
