In response to Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Seri Suhaily's accusation on Tuesday in the media that the Zhao family was uncooperative in the retrial, causing the police investigation to face difficulties, Zhao Mingfu's sister Zhao Lilan, on behalf of the Zhao family, expressed strong dissatisfaction and protest.
“We believe that this accusation is completely unfounded, unreasonable and purely malicious slander, misleading the public in an attempt to distort facts and shirk responsibility.”
She posted on Facebook on Wednesday that the Kuala Lumpur High Court order clearly states that the police must complete the investigation report of Mingfu's unjust death within the 6-month deadline starting from November 21, 2024.
“This is due to the police investigation report being incomplete, unable to provide an explanation to the Zhao family and justice to the deceased. The court ordered the police to complete the investigation within the deadline and address the various investigative doubts raised by the Zhao family in the judicial review and complete the questionable report results.”
“We condemn the police for defaming the Zhao family as uncooperative in an attempt to cover up the consequences of the police's misuse of Section 342 of the Penal Code for unlawful detention in the investigation of Mingfu’s unjust death case, making such excuses to shirk responsibility.”
Zhao Lilan emphasized the reasons as follows:
1. This judicial review includes all investigations over the past 16 years. It is well known that our Zhao family members have undergone multiple interrogations after the case, including being questioned by the police at the Kajang police station, questioned by the pathologist before the autopsy, and repeatedly testified in court according to the law, and even questioned by government-hired psychology experts.
All interrogation answers, testimonies, and investigation reports have been recorded. The police can consult and have relevant personnel provide them at any time. Director Suhaily of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department, what other cooperation do you need from the Zhao family?
In the 16 years, the police investigated Mingfu’s unjust death case as many as 6 times. When has a lack of the Zhao family’s testimony and cooperation been used as an excuse to shirk responsibility?
2. The evidence and facts of being killed cannot be changed. Have the police meticulously reviewed the judgment and order of the Court of Appeal on September 5, 2014? The Court of Appeal overturned the inquest court’s open verdict, ruling out suicide and accident, with the three judges unanimously deciding that one or more persons caused Mingfu's death, including implicated MACC officers.
The Zhao family was not at the scene of the incident; how should the Zhao family cooperate to help the police apprehend the perpetrator? We pursued judicial review to get the police to provide answers and explanations to the Zhao family and the public, finding out who caused Mingfu's death and who should be responsible? Should the police ask the Zhao family for answers?
3. The autopsy report proves that during detention, Mingfu was severely injured on the neck, losing mobility, or even fell into a coma.
Did the police examine the pathologist's autopsy report? The autopsy report proves this is a murder case: how could Mingfu, after being injured and losing mobility or falling into a coma, fall off the building? The police should seek witnesses or interrogate involved MACC officers rather than shifting the responsibility to the Zhao family. Is this reasonable?
4. The implicated MACC officers and security at the scene conspired, providing false testimonies.
Whether in the cross-examination at the inquest, testimony given to the police by implicated MACC officers, or the testimonies given at the Royal Commission, inconsistencies arise. Both the Court of Appeal ruling and Royal Commission conclusions clearly point out that MACC officers provided false testimonies. Did the police apply to detain, arrest, and investigate these implicated individuals under the relevant sections of the Penal Code for providing false evidence? How should the Zhao family cooperate? Teach you how to investigate?
5. The Zhao family proposed 10 questions at the KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall press conference on February 24, 2025. Are the police ready with answers?
During the internal meeting where the Cabinet agreed to launch an investigation on June 21, 2018, and when meeting with Prime Minister Anwar on August 1, 2024, the government promised to conduct an investigation based on the Court of Appeal judgment and order, including invoking Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code for investigation, but nothing came of it. The request for the government to hire international professional criminal investigators to support the police was stalled by the need to consult with the Inspector-General of Police on this suggestion, resulting in no further action.
Due to the police's incorrect invocation of Section 342 (unlawful detention) of the Penal Code, leading to non-cooperation from the implicated MACC officers, we urge the police to use the Court of Appeal judgment and autopsy report, which are sufficient for the police to independently reopen the investigation under Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code, to arrest and detain the implicated individuals for investigation.
We feel shock and anger beyond belief at the police’s shift from initial confidence to today’s disheartened and helpless attitude, while affirming the police’s honest account of lacking resources causing helplessness.
We earnestly request Prime Minister Anwar and the government to take this issue seriously, rectify the mistake of applying Section 342 (unlawful detention) of the Penal Code, and launch an investigation under Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code, immediately providing resources and hiring a team of internationally renowned criminal investigation experts to assist the police.