The civil society action group Malaysians for Beng Hock has decried what they call the "barbaric" action of an MCA party member in Gua Musang last night that has left one of their number with minor injuries after he was pushed to the ground.

"This is barbaric, we are quite upset about it. We were just waiting peacefully exercising our democratic right to meet an elected representative."

"The people should be able to meet with parliamentarians any time. The people are their bosses," said group spokesperson Chong Kok Siong.

galas by election mca heng saie kie 311010 Sor Cher Hai, the late Teoh Beng Hock's brother in law, was pushed in a confrontation with MCA members when they tried to meet with Senator Heng Saie Kie ( left ) after she left a party function in by-election hit Galas last night.

The eight member delegation comprising Sor, Chong and Beng Hock's sister Teoh Lee Lan and five others are led by activist Ng Yap Hwa and are in town to hunt down cabinet members and MPs to ask them to sign their petition.

The incident last night, which happened in Gua Musang Old Town, saw Sor injuring his leg and tearing his jeans.

Group not exploited

Asked if the group is being used or exploited by political parties in the by-election campaign, the group denied such speculation.

NONE "Malaysians for Beng Hock is not a political organisation," interjected Lee Lan ( right ).

Chong stressed that they do not have political affiliations and anyone who believes so is wrong.

Ng said that the group is fighting for human rights for all and is looking to reach out not only to the Chinese but Malays and Indians as well.

Quizzed why they used Beng Hock as their rallying cry if they are fighting for all death in detention cases, Chong said that the more well known case of the political secretary who died under mysterious circumstances after being questioned by the MACC, can capture public attention.

"Otherwise we won't be able to get the public to listen, they don't really know about the other cases," said Chong pointing to the leaflet the group was distributing which showed not only Beng Hock but also other police-related deaths such as R Gunasegaran and 15-year old Aminulrasyid Amzah.