LETTER | It has been over 15 years since Teoh Beng Hock was found dead while under the custody of the MACC. And yet, to this day, we are still here - still asking, waiting, demanding for the truth to be told, and for justice to be served.

Beng Hock was not a criminal. He was a young man who believed in public service, who carried out his responsibilities with dedication and integrity. He was a son, a brother, a fiancé - and he was about to be a father. His life was full of promise. But that promise was stolen, not by fate, but by a system that failed him. A system that has failed far too many.

Let us be clear – Beng Hock’s death was not an isolated incident. Every year, hundreds of lives are lost in detention across Malaysia. Behind these statistics are real people, real families, real heartbreaks. These deaths, whether caused by negligence, abuse, or institutional violence, demand not only our attention but our action.

How many more must die before we say, “Enough is enough”?

The recent decision by the Attorney-General’s Chambers to classify Beng Hock’s case as “No Further Action” is deeply troubling. After so many years, after a Royal Commission of Inquiry, after a Court of Appeal ruling pointing to unlawful acts - how can it be that no one is held accountable? What does this say to the family, to our citizens, and to the soul of our justice system?

When institutions tasked with upholding the law become complicit in silencing the truth, when lives are lost without consequence, we must ask ourselves - what kind of nation are we becoming?

This is not just about Beng Hock. This is about the values we uphold as a society. This is about the sanctity of life, the rule of law, and the basic dignity every human being deserves.

We at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall stand here not just in remembrance, but in defiance of silence. We believe that civil society must not look away.

We must not let this issue fade into history as just another statistic or tragic footnote. We must continue to speak, to organise, and to demand that the truth be revealed - no matter how long it takes.

We urge the government to establish an independent and transparent mechanism to investigate all deaths in custody. We call for a complete overhaul of institutional culture in enforcement agencies - one that prioritises human rights, accountability, and zero tolerance for abuse of power.

We also recognise the courage and perseverance of Beng Hock’s family - especially his sister, Teoh Lee Lan, whose tireless efforts have kept the flame of justice burning. Your pain has become a symbol of our national conscience. And we are with you - now and always.

Beng Hock did not die in vain - not if we make sure of it. His memory must be more than a tragedy. It must be a catalyst for change. Let us not allow comfort, fear, or time to dull our sense of outrage and empathy.

We owe it to him. We owe it to every life lost behind locked doors and silenced corridors.

Let us walk together - with dignity, with purpose, and with courage - until the truth is known, and justice is done.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.