The Commission of Inquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock was momentarily stunned when a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer burst into tears while testifying.
Mohd Anuar Ismail, who headed the investigations revolving around the alleged fraudulent disbursement of state funds by Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah and Kg Tunku assemblyman Ng Weng San, was narrating the emotional trauma and fear he experienced on hearing about the political aide’s death.
“I was very shocked. He was our witness and was with me the previous night.
“He was fine and healthy but now this had happened,” said Mohd Anwar.
Teoh, 30, who was Ean Yong political secretary, was taken to the Selangor MACC office on the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam on July 15, 2009 by Anuar and his team.
He was found dead on the buildings fifth floor service apartment the following day.
Mohd Anuar had gone to Ean Yong’s office on that day he seized Teoh’s laptop, documents and a central processing unit.
According to Mohd Anuar he was fearful of public perception and the anger felt by Teoh’s family, friends and colleagues against him over what had happened.
He said the public had seen his picture with Teoh, which was splashed all over the media after he had gone to Ean Yong’s office at the Selangor state secretariat building.
To a question by commission chairman Tan Sri James Foong why Mohd Anuar had stopped at his home in Puchong while on the way to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya with his immediate boss Hairul Ilham Hamzah, the investigating officer said he had gone to see his wife.
(Hairul Ilham had testified last week that Mohd Anuar had asked to stop at his house for a moment before heading to the MACC headquarters on July 16, 2009 after Teoh’s remains had been found.)
“I wanted to express my feelings and fear to my wife. I told her about the public perception and anger over what had had happened and asked her to be careful and take care of herself and our children,” said Mohd Anuar who broke down and cried at this juncture.
Commission chairman Justice Foong called for a 15-minute break to allow Mohd Anuar to collect himself.
When asked by commissioner Professor Dr Mohamed Hatta Shaharom why he had cried, Mohd Anuar said he was distressed over the incident as it had taken a heavy toll on him and the MACC.
“This involved the death of a witness and as the investigating officer it was my responsibility.
“Our department was in a very bad situation after that and our operations stalled,” he said adding that those summoned to the MACC office refused to show up after Teoh’s death.
Dr Mohamed Hatta also asked Mohd Anuar if he had given a thought to the pain suffered by Teoh’s family as he only spoke about himself and his family.
“I sympathise with them,” said Mohd Anuar adding that what had happened was beyond his control.
To a question by conducting officer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud if he (Mohd Anuar) had breached any law in the way Teoh had been handled, Mohd Anuar said his only mistake was allowing the political aide to remain in the MACC office after his statement had been recorded at 3.30am on July 16.
