How did he die? — Tan Tian Yan

JULY 17 — Teoh Beng Hock mysteriously “jumped” to his death, leaving behind a million question marks on the MACC.

Interrogating Ean Yong Hian Wah (and detaining his assistant Teoh Beng Hock), searching Lau Weng San, investigating Teresa Kok, Elizabeth Wong, Hannah Yeoh, Cheah Wing Yin and Edward Lee Poh Lin.

Of course, the MACC has this power. But the question is: Is the power exercised appropriately?

Given the "coincidence" that all the targets of investigation are Pakatan state assemblymen — and Chinese — I'm sorry but have to say something: These are the elected representatives least likely to be corrupt in the eyes of the voters!

People who have even the slightest knowledge of these people should know that they are the thriftiest and hardworking people around.

For example, Elizabeth Wong does not have huge assets to her name, only mortgage and credit card debts.

Or perhaps the MACC would say the investigations are carried out based on the information it has obtained, nothing to do with a person's political affiliation or background.

But, the MACC must explain why so much more information, including what has already come to public knowledge and triggered tonnes of controversies, has not sent the MACC into action.

For instance, has the MACC done anything on "Istana Khir Toyo"? Has it carried out any investigation, search or interrogation?

Or perhaps big cases should be handled slowly, until they have vanished from the people's memories?

The investigation of cases should be carried out in accordance with their severity or priority. I don't see any priority in dealing with these few Pakatan reps.

Of course, no one can prove that the MACC's moves are politically motivated. That said, what they have done has brought up many guesses among the public, as well as uneasiness among opposition politicians.

This reminds me of McCarthyism in the United States during the 1950s. The reckless actions of a power engine generated a political scare and widespread social panic.

There was this extreme rightist Republican politician named Joseph McCarthy back in those days. He banked on the anti-communist sentiment during the Cold War to openly declare that the United States government had been infiltrated by several hundred communist spies, and that America was sinking into a state of great danger.

His declaration shocked Washington and American society.

With the support of rightist House representatives, he headed the "Un-American House Committee" and probed, accused, framed and persecuted leftists, from politicians, diplomats, scholars to artistes, all in the name of national security.

His black list included people like George Marshall, physicist Robert Oppenheimer and actor Charlie Chaplin. Some were thrown into the jails while others took their own lives.

During McCarthy's time, the United States was plunged into a dark age of unrighteousness, until American society could tolerate such acts of terror no more and rose up against him.

The US government and Congress joined hands in impeaching McCarthy, and restored the freedom and esteem of the country.

This historical event warns us that government organs should not abuse the power entrusted to them to kill political freedom and violate human rights in the name of national security.

Controversies have popped up ever since the inauguration of the MACC. Its reputation is in tatters.

And now, it needs to explain to the nation how Teoh Beng Hock died! — mysinchew