Make me ad hoc prosecutor, I'll solve Beng Hock's case in 21 days, says lawyer
Lawyer-activist M Visvanathan asked why the police had chosen to launch their recent investigation under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement.
KUALA LUMPUR : Lawyer-activist M Visvanathan has proposed that the Attorney-General's Chambers appoint him as an ad hoc prosecutor to oversee the case involving Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Visvanathan, chairman of Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together (Edict), said he would be able to solve the case within 21 days if he were appointed as a special prosecutor.
Speaking at a gathering in solidarity with Teoh's family here, the lawyer said three doctors had confirmed that the deceased had injuries to his neck which occurred prior to his fall from the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.
He added that these doctors previously confirmed the matter in court.
Visvanathan questioned why the police had launched their recent investigation under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement, when there was evidence that Teoh had suffered injuries prior to his fall.
'We have had multiple attorney-generals (AGs), prime ministers and inspectors-general of police since 2009, yet the mystery of Teoh's death still haunts the nation.
'I propose to the AG, prime minister and home ministry: make me the ad hoc prosecutor. I will solve this case within 21 days of my appointment,' he said.
Last month, Teoh's family was informed by police that their latest investigation into the case had been classified as requiring no further action or NFA.
On Nov 21 last year, the High Court had directed the police to complete their long-delayed investigation into the death of Teoh more than 15 years ago.
Teoh died on July 16, 2009 at the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after being questioned for hours by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). An inquest was held and the coroner returned an open verdict.
However, the Court of Appeal in 2014 ruled that Teoh's death was caused by 'one or more persons unknown', including MACC officers.
In 2019, police launched an investigation under Section 342 of the Penal Code for wrongful confinement.
Prior to 2018, two special investigation teams were set up – one in 2011 and the other in 2015 – to look into Teoh's death, but both cases were classified as NFA by the public prosecutor.
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