Thousands throng stadium for Teoh

More than 3,000 people packed the Kelana Jaya stadium in a two-and-a-half hour gathering to mark the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock.

Pakatan Rakyat top brass, including Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, took turns to address the crowd.

The stadium was decked with posters, placards and huge banners bearing the image of Teoh, with the words 'Justice for Beng Hock'.

Rather than wait for Wednesday's cabinet meeting to decide on the matter of a royal commission to probe the death, all speakers stressed on the urgency of the matter, saying it should be set up immediately.

Among those who spoke included former PAS vice-president and Kelantan executive councillor Husam Musa, Selangor exco Xavier Jayakumar, Selangor assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim and DAP veteran leader Karpal Singh.

A number of other Selangor cabinet members and state representatives were at the rally but Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was however absent.

Follow Pak Lah's footsteps

In his speech, DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief to step down.

He also urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who did not hesitate to launch a royal commission on the nude squat controversy.

Another reason for the royal commission is the distrust of the people towards the country's institutions, he said.

"The police said that the preliminary cause of death (in Teoh's death) was that he fell from a high place… as if we don't know.

"If you jump, or if you were pushed, you still fall (to your death) - even children know this," he added.

Accusing MACC of going overboard in its investigations, he also questioned why it did not go after the big cases involving Barisan Nasional politicians.

Teoh, who was political secretary to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hean Wah, is said to have plunged to his death from the Plaza Masalam building in Shah Alam on Thursday.

The 30-year-old journalist was last seen at the MACC Selangor office - located on the 14th floor of the building - where he was brought in for questioning over investigations into alleged misappropriation of funds by his boss.

Selangor speaker Teng Chang Khim who spoke later said, "People die in police lock-ups, people die in MACC and next time, people will even die in JPN (National Registration Department)."

Still shrouded in mystery

Both Guan Eng and Khalid questioned the myterious circumstances surrounding Teoh's death.

Khalid said that having been questioned by MACC officers himself, he felt like 'chasing them out of the office' once they had finished their session, let alone sleep in the premises.

Guan Eng, on the other hand, said that having been to the office himself he was completely lost as to how someone would want to spend the night over in that office.

"It is not a six-star hotel, if you are allowed to go home, you would go home. There is no spa… no sauna. Why would you want to stay there?" he asked.

Karpal, who spoke last, said that he would bring MACC to court in the next few days over the issue.

A minute of silence was observed in remembrance of Teoh.

Utusan, Berita Harian torched

Towards the end of the event, an overzealous participant burnt copies of Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian for their racial comments over Teoh's death.

This was pertaining to some reports that suggested PKR was trying to weaken Malay-dominated institutions such as MACC.

Several participants told Malaysiakini that they agreed with the formation of a royal commission of inquiry.

"This rally could give the public a clearer idea of what really happened, as newspapers aren't always accurate and we don't believe MACC's explanation," said Sheikh Salehuddin and Wan Norizatulakmar, both 25.

Norizatulakmar continued, "To be realistic, MACC will never be found guilty unless an external commission, if possible an overseas one, conducts an investigation. That is the only way, for we won't even believe the police."

Malaysiakini 's columnist KJ John, who was there, agreed. He said that an independent royal commission should be set up to probe the death.

"It should be made up of ordinary people. No Datuks or Tan Sris. Just independent people," he added.

Teoh's funeral will be held tomorrow morning with the funeral ceremony to begin at 8.30am at his hometown of Alor Gajah, Malacca.

His cortege will then leave for the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih at about 11am and it is expected to arrive at 12.30pm.