KUALA LUMPUR - DEPUTY Premier Muhyiddin Yassin on Sunday accused the opposition of politicising the death of Democratic Action Party (DAP) aide Teoh Beng Hock as some 2,000 people turned up for an opposition-organised memorial marking his death.

The site was decked with banners proclaiming 'Justice for Beng Hock'.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders - including Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng - took turns to address the crowd as they lambasted the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang urged agency chief Ahmad Said Hamdan to step down.

Mr Teoh was found dead hours after he had been questioned by the MACC, which is investigating graft allegations against his boss, state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin on Sunday accused the opposition of trying to divert attention away from the probe.

Two editorials in Umno-controlled Malay papers Berita Harian and Mingguan Malaysia made the same point on Sunday, as the ruling coalition strove to manage public perception of the issue.

Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said investigations into the death must be completed as soon as possible to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

He said he was disappointed that some parties had made baseless charges even though investigations were still ongoing.

The government and the MACC have been heavily criticised since the death. Mr Teoh was detained for questioning by MACC officials last Wednesday night. His body was found the next day sprawled on the rooftop of a building next to the MACC office.

Most Malaysians do not believe he committed suicide. The authorities have not ruled out foul play.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.

chengwee@sph.com.sg