Dap In Fresh Row With Teoh Family After Ngeh S Insulting Remarks

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As the tragic death of former DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock nears its 16th anniversary, the party now finds itself embroiled in a new public dispute with his family, sparked by what they describe as "insulting remarks" from a senior party leader.
The controversy has led to a swift apology from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and a detailed seven-point rebuttal from Beng Hock’s sister, Lee Lan.
The latest contention began on July 12, when DAP treasurer Ngeh Koo Ham claimed Lee Lan was being ungrateful and that she “attacked” DAP even though the party has been consistently providing financial and legal support to the family since Beng Hock’s passing.
According to China Press, the Beruas MP said the DAP had raised approximately RM500,000 for the family and formed a pro bono legal team.
ADSNgeh (above) also asserted that the DAP had fought for the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) through the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and secured RM600,000 in civil compensation from the government, proving the party’s continuous assistance.
"Lee Lan may have been misled, and as a result, instead of being grateful to the DAP, which has always supported the Teoh family, she turned around and criticised and attacked the party publicly," Ngeh reportedly said at a community dinner in Manjung, Perak.
DAP’s swift reply
Loke swiftly issued a statement the next day, clarifying that Ngeh's remarks "do not represent the position and views of the DAP".
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke"The DAP leadership has never blamed any member of the Teoh family. We fully understand and respect their feelings, as well as their right to speak out and criticise the party.
"Beng Hock lost his life due to political persecution while serving the DAP. The DAP can never return a son to the Teoh family, and indeed, the party owes them a debt it can never repay.
"If Ngeh’s remarks have caused hurt to the Teoh family, I hereby extend my sincere apologies to them on behalf of the DAP," said the transport minister.
In 2009, Beng Hock, who was an aide to then Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead after overnight questioning at the Selangor MACC headquarters in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam.
A 2011 RCI ruled that he was driven to suicide due to aggressive interrogation. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled that his death was caused or accelerated by unlawful acts, including those of MACC officers.
On Nov 21 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered the police to complete investigations into his death within six months, after Court of Appeal judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh allowed a judicial review application by Beng Hock’s parents.
However, on May 20 this year, the police’s Criminal Investigation Department wrote to the Teoh family’s lawyer to inform them of the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ decision for “no further action” (NFA).
Scathing rebuttal
ADSIn response to Ngeh, Lee Lan issued a strong seven-point rebuttal this morning, expressing the family’s "extreme pain" and "deep regret" over Ngeh’s "malicious defamation" that caused "irreparable emotional harm and public misunderstanding".
She said the Teoh family has always remembered and expressed gratitude to the DAP and civil society at various events, even publicly affirming the party’s early efforts at a press conference in June this year.
"If all this is still not enough, what exactly must the Teoh family do to satisfy Ngeh?" she asked.
She added that the late Karpal Singh offered pro bono legal aid due to his reputation as a respected human rights lawyer, not because of his DAP affiliation.
She also clarified that the Teoh Beng Hock Fund was announced by the DAP at a memorial without prior notification to the family or their involvement in its decisions.
Teoh Beng Hock’s sister, Teoh Lee LanShe said that while they accepted the funds to ensure the welfare of Beng Hock’s widow and son, it was never used for other purposes.
The mother of three further said that while the RM600,000 compensation was for civil liability from the MACC during the BN era, it was unrelated to criminal responsibility.
She urged Loke and the DAP leadership to attend Beng Hock’s memorial on July 19 to publicly address the issues. - Mkini

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