KUALA LUMPUR - A GRAFT probe involving Democratic Action Party (DAP) state assemblymen in Selangor took a dramatic turn on Thursday when one of their aides was found dead, after he had been held overnight by investigators.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) members and supporters were outraged.

Mr Teo Beng Hock, 30, was found sprawled on the rooftop of a building next to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Selangor headquarters. He was believed to have fallen from the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam in the afternoon.

The former journalist from Chinese daily Sin Chew Jit Poh was a political secretary to Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong. Mr Teo was detained by MACC on Wednesday to assist in a graft probe involving Mr Yong.

PR leaders and supporters demanded an explanation from MACC. The building is not equipped with CCTV.

According to PR members, Mr Teo was supposed to get married today. 'He was going to get married. Why would he want to commit suicide?' Mr Yong said to reporters.

A large group of PR supporters and leaders gathered outside Plaza Masalam on Thursday night to demand justice. They placed flowers, candles and pictures of Mr Teo outside the building.

No incidents were reported but the presence of riot police was clearly felt. Selangor Chief Police Officer Khalid Abu Bakar vowed there would be no cover-up.

PR also demanded that MACC stop what it called political persecution of the alliance. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz has warned the public not to jump to conclusions and blame MACC for the death.

Mr Yong and other lawmakers are being investigated for alleged misuse of funds in connection with allocations for local community programmes.