RCI with Immediacy, Neutrality and Entirety

Media Statement by Teo Nie Ching, DAP Assistant Secretary of National Publicity Bureau and Member of Parliament for Serdang in Petaling Jaya on 20 July 2009:

With regard to the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that a cabinet meeting will he held on Wednesday to discuss whether to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate Teoh Beng Hock’s death, Democratic Action Party insist that they not only do that, but DAP also stresses that the RCI that is established must include the following traits: immediacy, neutrality and entirety, in order to reveal the truth for the sake of Beng Hock and his family.

Immediacy: Teoh Beng Hock will undergo his burial ceremony soon. Precious time for investigation purposes is fading. By coincident, this coming Wednesday is the “seventh day” of Beng Hock’s passing. The Barisan National government should announce the establishment of the Royal Commission on that day at the very least, in order to bring some comfort to Beng Hock’s family and relatives on the “seventh day” of his passing.

Neutrality: At least half of the Royal Commission’s members should be recommended and appointed by Pakatan Rakyat. Teoh Beng Hock was a DAP member, as well as a member of the Selangor PR government. Thus it is logical and appropriate for PR to have the right to recommend and appoint half of the members of RCI. Only by doing this, then will the public believe that the RCI is independent, non-partisan and credible.

Entirety: Other than investigating the cause of death of Teoh Beng Hock, the Terms of Reference must include a total re-evaluation of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) power and standard operating procedures (SOP). MACC should not be allowed to collect evidence by threatening the witnesses nor interrogate witnesses after 7.30 p.m. MACC must undergo a total reformation, in order to ensure that MACC is not a tool of BN government and use to intimidate and control the people.

The establishment of the RCI is only the first step towards revealing the truth of Teoh Beng Hock’s tragic death. DAP will scrutinise the establishment of the RCI ensure that it maintains its consistency in its performance and responsibility, so that similar incident will not be repeated.

TEO NIE CHING

Assistant Secretary of National Publicity Bureau-cum-Serdang MP