YOURSAY ‘Negligence admitted but those responsible for his death still free.’

Life is so cheap, cries Beng Hock's sister

Versey: Indeed, no amount of money could compensate the personal loss of companionship and love from Teoh Beng Hock to his widowed wife, son, parents and siblings.

Thus this small "compensation" is indeed a "bitter victory" in the sense that it took so many years to pursue the case before Teoh's family and the public finally got the recalcitrant Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to admit negligence.

All the truly righteous rakyat count this as a token payment because of the assault suffered by Beng Hock - called as a witness but treated no better than a criminal. The fact is that till now, the perpetrators have been let off and are scot-free. Worse, one of the chief suspects was promoted.

This shows that those who have the responsibility to see that fairness and justice apply to all rakyat regardless of one's background and station in life, have made life in this country cheaper than cows bred in high-end condos, or flowers spent on somebody's wedding.

Though I'm a stranger to Teoh's family, as a member of the public, I wish to express my gratitude and admiration to MPs Gobind Singh Deo (and his late father, Karpal Singh) and Teo Nie Ching for their steadfast support of the Teoh family.

To Teoh Lee Lan, you are a great sister and great support to your aged parents. Don't despair or fret because of those evil ones, and the unkind remarks from those who know not the worth of a human life.

Keep up your spirits and continue the good fight to make sure the perpetrators get the appropriate punishment and hopefully your family can eventually claim punitive damages from the government agency to deter such egregiously insidious conduct of those in power. Take good care of your aged parents.

Swipenter: This is a victory (but not justice) way beyond the mere financial compensation for the Teoh family. It is highly significant that finally the government and MACC have admitted negligence in the death of Beng Hock.

The quest to bring those who were negligent for the death of Beng Hock must not stop. Justice for Beng Hock must continue till the end. Remember, we must not let Beng Hock’s death be in vain.

The government and the responsible enforcement agencies still have the untimely deaths of Ahmad Sabraini, Aminulrasyhid Amzah, A Kugan and other custodial deaths to account for.

Turvy: Money is no compensation for death, but in this case there is more. There is vindication of a grave wrong that was done and the admission by the watchdog agency that its careless conduct led to the death of a citizen in its charge.

What happens next is important. Will there be a review of the happenings of that fateful night that led to the admission of negligence or does the settlement end further scrutiny?

Beng Hock’s death may have been the result of any one of several culpabilities, the least being an accident, a misfortune for which no one is responsible, a death without blame.

If an accident is discounted you are left with culpabilities of a higher order where negligence is the least reprehensible. The money may not be compensation for a life lost, but will it be sufficient to hide the truth?

Righteousness: If the family is not happy with the compensation, they should not be accepting it. They can always continue to fight and proceed with the court case.

They have to be fair to everyone. Beng Hock’s sister Lee Lan is an opportunist and the biggest drama queen.

It irks me to know they actually accepted the money yet continue condemning the court and government. It’s their choice, no one forced them. They had a good team fighting for them, Gobind, and Kulai MP Teo. Why dispute after agreeing to the settlement?

I’m not related to the deceased but as a human with sanity, I’m saddened over what had happened. But we must be able to understand the whole process and respect the decision. What Teoh’s sister is doing is unjust.

None of us saw what actually transpired. Just because someone died in the custody, it doesn't mean the person was killed. We can't simply judge people without valid evidence.

Damntlwbn: To those who criticised Lee Lan instead of empathising with her and her family of what they had been through the past six years, be warned that you and your family could lose your dear son, or your precious daughter, so that you can feel the pain and agony and loss of hope of Beng Hock's family.

Oh Ya?: The taxpayers have to foot the bill while the culprits are not only at large but are promoted.

Dont Just Talk: The late Teoh Beng Hock family should appeal for higher compensation instead of settling for RM600,000, considering that Beng Hock was in his early 30s and a graduate with much potential for career advancement. In the US or Britain, they would easily have succeeded in getting much more.

However, it is not the monetary award compensation that the late Teoh Beng Hock's family is seeking but also justice from the judiciary that the MACC perpetrators responsible for his death be charged and jailed.

Haveagreatday: Yes, Lee Lan, your family must continue the struggle to ensure those MACC officers responsible for Beng Hock's death are brought to justice.

Clearwater: Indeed, I have the greatest respect for Lee Lan's fight for justice for her brother. She is the untiring heroine in the entire saga.

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