Speech by Chong Zhemin, DAP Perak Economic Development Bureau Chief at Teoh Beng Hock forum “TBH – A murder case without murderer” at DAP Teluk Intan Community Centre

“Murder on the Orient Express” is one of the best selling novels by Agatha Christie featuring the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. In this novel, Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of Mr Rachett on the Orient Express, a long distance passenger train travelling from Istanbul to London. Upon investigation, Poirot discovers that everyone on the train had a connection to the deceased (Rachett) and, therefore had a motive to kill him. Poirot proposed two possible solutions, the first solution is that a stranger boarded the train and murdered Rachett; the second solution is that all 13 people on the train were complicit in the murder. The novel ended by revealing the second solution is correct.

In Teoh Beng Hock’s case, there is no Hercule Poirot to solve the murder case but an incapable and impotent IGP who failed to arrest and initiate investigations against the murderers of Teoh Beng Hock. Malaysians want to know whether a stranger broke into MACC building and murdered Teoh Beng Hock, or all the MACC officers involved in the arrest and investigation of Teoh Beng Hock were complicit in the murder?

The court of appeal on the 5th September 2014 passed the verdict as below,

“Death of Teoh Beng Hock was caused by multiple injuries from a fall from the 14th Floor of Plaza Masalam as a result of, or which was accelerated by, an unlawful act or acts of persons unknown, inclusive of MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigation of the deceased.”

The verdict by the court of appeal couldn’t be clearer that the MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigation of Teoh Beng Hock are responsible for the death of him. Why did the police fail to arrest any MACC officer involved in the arrest and investigation of Teoh Beng Hock?

The court of appeal in its submission has ruled out the possibility of accidental death and suicide. The court of appeal noted that the theory of accidental death could not be sustained as there was no possibility of accident egress i.e. the window is higher and the absence of toxins, drugs or alcohol in Teoh Beng Hock’s blood.

The court also mentioned that the theory of suicide could not be sustained as Teoh Beng Hock was to be married, to become a father, was making arrangements for his wedding as late as 15 July 2009 before being taken in by the MACC officers and Teoh Beng Hock had every reason to want to live.

This leaves the only possibility of truth which is homicide. The injustice against Teoh Beng Hock is an injustice against all Malaysians. Malaysians want to know who are the murderers of Teoh Beng Hock and why do the murderers still enjoy impunity and can go unpunished?

Malaysians who are committed to justice will keep pursuing this case and fight till the last breath to bring Teoh Beng Hock murderers to justice.