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KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia will hold an inquest into the mysterious death of a political aide who apparently plunged from the 14th floor of anti-corruption offices, Prime Minister Najib Razak said Wednesday.
Teoh Beng Hock's body was found last Thursday on the roof of an adjacent building after he had undergone questioning late into the night at the offices of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"An inquest will be led by a magistrate to investigate the cause of death of Teoh," Najib told reporters.
"A Royal Commission will (also) be established to study the rules related to interrogation... used by the (MACC) and to find out if there was any human rights violation during the interrogation of Teoh," he added.
Opposition groups have held numerous protests following the death of Teoh, an assistant to a member of the state Cabinet in Selangor, which is ruled by the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.
But the inquest falls short of their demand for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh's death, say opposition leaders.
"I am disappointed by the Cabinet decision on the mysterious death of Teo Beng Hock," veteran opposition politician Lim Kit Siang said in a statement.
"What the Malaysian public want is a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the mysterious causes of Teoh's death," he added.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim along with members of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition have called for a formal independent probe amid questions over whether Teoh committed suicide or was murdered.
Najib said a police investigation into Teoh's death would continue after Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein earlier Wednesday said more people would be called for questioning.
The anti-corruption body said last week that Teoh, who was not under investigation, had undergone questioning until 3.45am last Thursday and then chose to rest in the building after he was discharged.
It said he was seen at 6.00am later the same day, sleeping on a sofa, and was not seen again until his crumpled body was discovered at 1.30pm.
- AFP/ir
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