KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak claimed today that the boycott of the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) is a move to capitalise on Teoh Beng Hock’s death for the next election.

Najib also asked Teoh’s family to give the RCI a fair chance to investigate the DAP aide’s death.

“This issue is being politicised, they are looking for ways to delay the proceedings; the opposition who has been advising the family of Teoh Beng Hock wants this issue to be used during the election campaign,” said Najib (picture) when asked about the family’s decision to boycott the RCI.

“They want it delayed to create the perception that the government is not doing anything,” he added.

He also reminded Teoh’s family that the formation of the RCI was at the family's request.

“We form the royal commission upon the request of the family to seek the truth. The family should have given the opportunity to the commission as it is made up of credible members,” said Najib.

“This can help the family of Teoh Beng Hock to get closure. The royal commission is the best way to establish the truth,” he said.

The family, whose legal counsel are DAP MPs Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh, withdrew from the proceedings after the royal panel decided to continue the inquiry despite a proposed judicial review over the appointment of DPPs as conducting officers.

The Selangor Pakatan Rakyat state government also withdrew from the inquiry due to inconsistencies by the Attorney-General in having his staff serve as conducting officers while also trying to revise the inquest verdict.

The RCI was formed after an inquest into Teoh’s death returned an open verdict last month.

Teoh was found dead outside the Selangor MACC headquarters on July 16, 2009, one day after he was called in for questioning.

The political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah was interrogated as part of an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds by state lawmakers.