In unusual step, criminal lawyer appointed for Teoh’s inquest

Malik said the appointment was done within the law. — Picture by Choo Choy May

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - The Malaysian Insider

SHAH ALAM, July 29 — In a rare move, the government has appointed experienced criminal lawyer Tan Hock Chuan, who is in private practice, to lead the Attorney-General's team in the inquest into the death of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) political aide Teoh Beng Hock.

It is standard practice for the government to have the deputy public prosecutor leading its team but in exceptional occasions, the government is allowed to appoint a private lawyer as provided by the Criminal Procedure Code.

Observers however have questioned such a need, pointing towards the possible lack of resources or quality among those in the A-G's ranks.

There are also suggestions that the political sensitivity of the case was such that a person unaffiliated with the government was picked to portray impartiality.

Tan said he was only appointed by the A-G two days ago and was unaware of the rationale behind his appointment.

"I don't know why," he said bluntly when asked to comment. Tan said the appointment was done at the A-G's discretion.

The criminal lawyer, who has 25 years’ experience, was previously a DPP before leaving the A-G's office for private practice.

Prominent lawyer Malik Imtiaz, however, said he does not believe there is anything extraordinary about Tan's appointment, concurring that it was done within the law and there have been similar instances in the past.

"It's also good to have a Bar Council member as your opponent," said Malik, who is representing the Selangor state government in the inquest and will be participating in the cross-examination.

Bar Council president K. Ragunath shared the same thoughts.

"I think it's a positive thing. Tan is an experienced and good lawyer, a member of the Bar. I believe it just boils down to the government wanting to get the best person to do the job," he told The Malaysian Insider.

A total of 77 witnesses have been called up for the inquest of whom 28 are Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers.