Group Urges Malaysians To Reject Macc S 15 Year Pr Show On Beng Hock

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The Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) has urged the public to dismiss MACC’s recent apology over Teoh’s death, branding it merely a “public relations show”, years after his death.
ADSTBH-ADA chairperson Ng Yap Hwa said Malaysians should emulate DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s resolve in rejecting a similar apology from then-MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed.
In a statement today, Ng also called on the government to bring in international experts to reinvestigate the case.
“At the time, Lim issued a statement criticising the MACC for waiting an entire year before expressing condolences, calling it insincere.
“Then and now, 15 years later, MACC continues to put on public relations shows.
“This time, though they added the word ‘apology’ and offered ‘goodwill contribution’, they still refuse to address the conduct of the officers who detained and interrogated Teoh, the very individuals most likely responsible for his neck injuries and fatal fall, yet who remain unpunished to this day.
“We now urge Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government - which DAP is a part of - to uphold that spirit and accept the Teoh family’s call to invite internationally renowned criminal investigation experts to Malaysia to reinvestigate the case,” Ng said.
‘Pain and sadness’
On July 16, 2010, on the first anniversary of Teoh’s death, Abu Kassim issued a Chinese-language statement, expressing that the MACC “shares the same sorrow and disappointment as Teoh’s family” and feels “pain and sadness” over the tragic incident.
The late Teoh Beng HockAbu Kassim reportedly said that the MACC would also comply with the findings of an inquest into Teoh’s death, would not protect those involved, and would work to enhance safety measures and improve procedures on the handling of witnesses.
However, the association lamented that these reforms are “purely cosmetic and lack any substantive meaning.”
Two days ago, on the 16th anniversary of Teoh’s death, the MACC issued its first public apology to the political aide’s family for their pain and suffering.
In a statement, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki also announced the anti-graft agency’s readiness to provide a “goodwill contribution” to Teoh’s family, particularly to support his only son’s welfare and educational needs.
ADSTeoh’s family, however, rejected MACC’s apology and offer of compensation, insisting they want justice for his death, not money.
To highlight the absurdity of MACC’s “compensation logic,” they sarcastically propose a counter-offer: hand over the lives of five MACC officers implicated in the case, and they will crowdfund compensation for the officers’ families.
Found dead
In 2009, Teoh, an aide to then-Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, 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 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.
In May, the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) decision to classify the case as no further action dealt another blow to the Teoh family.
Following this, the association called for DAP’s five ministers to resign as a protest over the decision by the AGC. Ng had, in a statement on May 25, said that the five should take responsibility for the party’s failure to fulfil its promises to seek justice for Teoh.
DAP bows in ‘respect and sorrow’
On Wednesday, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and three other party leaders - vice-chairperson Teo Nie Ching, Selangor DAP chief Ng Sze Han, and Teoh’s former boss, Ean Yong - bowed for about a minute at the tail end of a press conference.
Loke said the public apology by MACC to Teoh’s family and its offer to provide contributions to help the deceased’s son showed the Madani government’s sincerity.
DAP leaders bowing in a plea to Teoh Beng Hock’s family to accept MACC’s apology and goodwill contributionIn his statement today, Ng said that only a full investigation to uncover the perpetrators behind Teoh’s death and prosecute them according to the law can restore public confidence in the MACC.
“Otherwise, every suspect or witness entering the MACC for questioning will fear for their own safety,” he said.
“Let us all reject the government’s no further action conclusion, and press the government to accept our three demands: truth, justice, and institutional reform,” Ng added. - Mkini

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