Friday February 22, 2013

Teoh’s family seeks damages from MACC and Government

By M. MAGESWARI
mages@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: The family of Teoh Beng Hock is suing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Government for their sadness, loss of their dependency and negligence.

However, MACC and the Government are contending that Teoh's death was due to his own negligence.

They said that Teoh's fiancee, Soh Cher Wei, had no right to take legal action against them.

In the amended claim, filed on Feb 7 this year, Teoh's father Teoh Leong Hwee, mother Teng Shuw Hoi, Soh and his son, Teoh Er Jia have been named as plaintiffs. They filed their first claim on Oct 3.

The four plaintiffs have named the MACC, Government and 12 others as defendants.

Teoh, 30, political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam after he had given a statement at the office of the Selangor branch of the commission on the 14th floor of the building.

In their lawsuit, they claimed that MACC had failed to give an explanation on how Teoh was found dead at the place.

They said that MACC officers had wrongly attacked Teoh, causing him fear, torment, extreme distress and apprehension of immediate physical violence.

They are seeking for damages for loss of dependency, sadness, negligence, costs and relief deemed fit by court.

Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas had given an open verdict in January 2011 that the death of political aide was not a suicide and it was not a homicide.

In the statement of defence filed by the defendants, the 14 defendants said that Teoh's death was as a result of his own actions, denied any wrongdoing and asked to dismiss the civil suit with costs.

High Court judge Justice Rosnaini Saub set March 15 for case management.

Teoh's lead counsel Gobind Singh Deo said the judge had ordered parties to comply with her case management directives for hearing proper.

Senior Federal Counsel Azizan Md Arshad, who acted for the defendants, said the judge has ordered both parties to file issues to be tried and agreed facts for trial.

News

Friday February 22, 2013

Teoh’s family seeks damages from MACC and Government

By M. MAGESWARI mages@thestar.com.my

By M. MAGESWARI
mages@thestar.com.my