UPDATED @ 11:33:53 PM 24-03-2011
March 24, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 — Teoh Beng Hock could have been pushed off the building where he was found dead in 2009, an anti-graft officer told the royal panel investigating Teoh’s death today.Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Mohd Anuar Ismail did not rule out that possibility, despite presuming that the DAP aide likely jumped to his death.
“He could have possibly been thrown out of the window?” asked Bar Council lawyer Christopher Leong.
“Maybe,” replied Anuar, 34.
Teoh, 30, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, on July 16 2009 after he was questioned overnight by MACC officers at their then Selangor headquarters on the 14th floor.
The anti-graft officers were investigating a claim that Teoh’s boss, Ean Yong Hian Wah, was abusing state funds.
Ean Yong is a Selangor state executive councillor and Seri Kembangan assemblyman from the DAP.
Anuar, who was dressed in a navy blue suit and yellow chequered tie, expressed anger against Teoh for purportedly jumping nine floors to his death.
“I was angry at Teoh’s actions,” said Anuar.
“I was angry with his death (and) all the problems that arose from this and their effects on me and my family,” added the lawyer by training.
The senior investigator stressed that he was not responsible for or contributed to Teoh’s death, who was then 30 years old.
“I don’t think my action in bringing Teoh Beng Hock to office caused him to jump,” said Anuar.
Anuar also insisted that he did not feel guilty or that he had sinned.
Commissioner Professor Dr Mohamed Hatta Shaharom said Anuar was in a “state of denial”.
“You denied that you are among the people who caused this death,” said the forensic psychiatry consultant.
Denial is a psychological term that is used often to describe situations in which people seem unable to face reality or admit an obvious truth.
“(It’s) because I did my best in fulfilling my duty. It’s really beyond my control. I couldn’t do anything to prevent this at that time,” said Anuar.
“How do you feel now?” asked Dr Hatta.
Anuar paused for a while and said: “I should have done that. I didn’t...My responsibility to take care of him, I accept (that I should have done that).”
“But causing his death, it’s beyond (me). Not even in my dreams I thought of this,” said Anuar.
RCI chairman Tan Sri James Foong questioned why Anuar did not feel responsible as the latter had placed Teoh in a room with seven MACC officers — four of whom had questioned him for an hour — despite noting that the DAP aide appeared restless.
“That was one of the most silly things. You don’t look at the mirror, yourself, your actions on Teoh Beng Hock,” said Foong.
“I’ve handled thousands of witnesses,” replied Anuar, who has served the national anti-graft authority since 2005.
Foong said Teoh could have been an “eggshell”, or a fragile personality.
Anuar said he placed Teoh in the community education room in the MACC office with anti-graft officers to calm him down.
“My purpose was to break the ice,” said Anuar.
Foong gave a sarcastic laugh.
“Is it a marriage?” asked the sitting Federal Court judge.
“Let’s get on with it. Makes me more angry to hear all these illogical answers,” added Foong.
Foong’s patience appeared strained as he expressed his frustration several times during Anuar’s testimony for the past four days.
Foong also asked Anuar on Tuesday if the latter had contributed to Teoh’s death for not asking Teoh if he had eaten, despite detaining the DAP aide in the Selangor MACC office for over six hours since about 6.15 pm on July 15 2009.
Anuar had denied contributing to the young man’s death.
The inquiry resumes tomorrow.
Clearly, the MACC officers are selfish people who care not for witnesses under their custody.
This Anuar only cared about himself and his family but did not care about Teoh Beng Hock and his family.
What if Anuar suffered the same fate as Teoh Beng Hock - to die before his time?
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