Dap Leaders Bow To Teoh S Family Urge Them To Consider Macc Goodwill

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DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, joined by several party leaders, bowed in “solemn respect and sorrow” to the family of Teoh Beng Hock.
Loke also appealed to the grieving family to consider accepting the government’s “goodwill contribution” over the former political aide’s tragic death.
He was joined by party vice-chairperson Teo Nie Ching, Selangor DAP chief Ng Sze Han, and Teoh’s former boss, Ean Yong Hian Wah.
They bowed for about a minute at the tail end of a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
DAP has come under fire for the lack of justice in Teoh’s case despite having campaigned heavily on the tragedy over multiple election cycles.
Loke said a public apology by MACC to Teoh’s family yesterday, and its offer to provide contributions to help the deceased’s son, showed the Madani government’s sincerity.
“I think this has been outstanding for too long. For the past 16 years, as I mentioned earlier, this was the first time MACC made a public apology (on Teoh’s death).
“I think that was the least MACC could do, it must tender an apology, and (chief commissioner) Azam Baki did that yesterday,” Loke said during the press conference, when asked if he thought it was the right thing for MACC to do.
‘This is not case closed’
The transport minister stressed that the contribution offer comes without any condition, and Teoh’s family is still free to pursue justice over his death and to speak out about the incident.
Loke acknowledged that a member of the Teoh family had held a press conference yesterday where she rejected the offer, but pleaded that they reconsider.
Teoh Beng Hock’s family and human rights activists during a press conference denouncing MACC’s apology and contribution offer yesterday“As I want to stress that, this offer of a goodwill contribution in no way means that we are closing the case.
ADS“The case remains unresolved, it remains open, and it means in no way by accepting the contribution that they are satisfied or have agreed to settle the case. Not at all.
“The goodwill contribution is a form of aid and contribution by the government to the needs of Teoh’s son, who is 15 this year.
“This is something we hope that the Teoh family can consider, and sincerely, we hope they can consider,” he said.
Adding further, Loke also promised DAP’s continuous support for the family, including legal assistance for their efforts to seek justice.
He said the party would continue to push for criminal action against those responsible for Teoh’s death when new evidence emerges.
The late Teoh Beng HockWhen asked if MACC’s apology to the family yesterday was in a way the agency’s admission of guilt, Loke said he would leave the question for MACC to answer.
Loke confirmed that Selangor DAP will be holding a memorial service for Teoh on July 27.
Teoh’s sister, Lee Lan, told the media yesterday that the memorial service organised by DAP will be held at Nirvana Memorial Garden in Semenyih at 8am.
The annual event has always been organised by DAP. This year, however, it became uncertain after the party found itself embroiled in several public disputes with the family recently.
No further action
In 2009, Teoh, who was then-Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong’s aide, was found dead after overnight questioning at Selangor MACC, which was then headquartered at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.
A 2011 royal commission of inquiry (RCI) ruled that he was driven to suicide due to aggressive interrogation. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled 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 the investigation into Teoh’s death within six months.
In May, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ultimately classified the case as no further action. - Mkini

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