KUALA LUMPUR (July 16): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday offered an ex-gratia payment to the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock on the 16th anniversary of his death, and extended a formal apology for the pain and suffering caused by the tragedy.

MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the financial assistance — with the exact amount to be determined later — is intended for the welfare and educational expenses of Teoh’s child.

The Malaysian government previously paid RM600,000 in compensation to Teoh’s family in 2015, alongside RM60,000 in legal costs as a full and final settlement under the Civil Law Act 1956.

Teoh, who was the former political aide to DAP politician Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, 2009, shortly after being questioned by the MACC in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, Selangor.

His death prompted a Royal Commission of Inquiry in 2011. In 2014, the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned the Coroner’s Court’s open verdict, concluding that Teoh’s death was not due to suicide. Recently, the attorney general decided to classify the case as “No further action”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Azam described the case as “a dark incident that had a profound impact not only on Teoh’s family but also [on] all MACC personnel and the nation”.

“Out of concern, I, as the chief commissioner of MACC, wish to express my sympathy and apologise to the family of the deceased for the suffering they have endured throughout this period,” he said.

Since the incident, the commission has undertaken various measures to rebuild public trust and safeguard the welfare of individuals assisting in investigations, according to Azam.

Among the improvements are video interviewing rooms, witness interview rooms, upgraded CCTV systems, iron grille barriers, body-worn cameras, and the PEACE interview method adapted from the UK.

"The MACC remains committed to upholding integrity and transparency in every aspect of its duties and to continuously strengthening institutional improvements," added Azam.

Besides Teoh, Customs officer Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed was also found dead at the MACC's office in Jalan Cochrane, Kuala Lumpur back in 2011.