Investigation papers on Teoh Beng Hock case resubmitted to AGC, says Saifuddin

SHAH ALAM: The government continues to ensure thorough and transparent investigations in the deaths of the late Teoh Beng Hock and firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reports.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that following the Cabinet's decision in 2018, the police reopened the investigation into Beng Hock's case under Section 342 of the Penal Code (wrongful confinement).

He added that the investigation papers were returned by the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) to the investigating officer on Jan 6, 2023.

"The police have been asked to conduct further interviews with key witnesses before resubmitting the investigation papers to the AGC for further directives.

"The police have recalled the involved witnesses to complete the investigation papers and have resubmitted them to the AGC for review and feedback," he said in a written response on Parliament's website.

Saifuddin was answering a question posed by Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) regarding the latest status of the reinvestigation into the deaths of Beng Hock and Muhammad Adib, as well as the follow-up actions that will be taken by the government in both cases.

In 2009, Beng Hock, who was then an aide to Selangor exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, a few hours after arriving for questioning at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Selangor headquarters on the 14th floor.

Meanwhile, in the case of Muhammad Adib’s death, a special committee was established to ensure a thorough, transparent investigation and proper advocacy concerning his death, based on the Cabinet decision dated October 9, 2021.

"This committee is chaired by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) and includes the Home Affairs Minister, the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and the Attorney General.

"The Special Committee commenced the investigation process on December 21, 2021, and submitted the Final Report to the government for consideration by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department," he said.

Muhammad Adib, a member of the Emergency Medical Rescue Services van unit at the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Station, was severely injured during a riot at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple site, USJ 25, Subang Jaya, on November 27, 2018.

After battling for his life for 21 days, Muhammad Adib passed away on Dec 17, 2018, at the National Heart Institute (IJN).