Read between Lines

I gotta learn to read in between the lines when reading mainstream Malaysian news. By now, in the headlines in all mainstream newspapers...e.g. The Star:

The Cabinet has agreed to set up an inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock as well as a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the interrogation methods used on him by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

At one glance, I thought.."ok..good..there will be a Royal Commission" An ignorant layman like me (for example) actually thought this is fine...and this what everyone wanted. However..

Thanks to the many alternative media and blogs that I ocassionally glance through for counter balance.

Lesson # 1:

It actually is a Royal Commission Of Inquiry that isn't! - from Jeff Ooi

Beng Hock's death will now be investigated by an inquest that will be presided by a magistrate, meaning a junior officer of the Malaysian Judiciary, and Correct Correct Correct, you know its track record.

The Cabinet has only agreed to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the interrogation methods used on him by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission).

With the inquest, police papers and evidence will be depended upon heavily by the magistrate in conducting the investigation.

This is a huge deficit of the People's trust and public expectations.

Lesson # 2:

Cabinet decision on Royal Commission of Inquiry falls far short of public expectation, unsatisfactory and unacceptable..from lim kit siang


There will be no Royal Commission of Inquiry into the causes of Teoh’s death although an inquest would be held.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry will be set up, but only to look into the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigative procedures and to determine if there were any human right violations when Teoh Beng Hock was being interrogated