After 15 years, how many Gen Z know about Teoh Beng Hock?

Teoh Beng Hock’s case was once the focus of public and media attention in the late 2000s, but a newer generation of youth - the Gen Z - might have been too young to understand.

However, even after 15 years, the DAP political aide’s death has inspired members of Gen Z, now that they are no longer children, to join the Teoh family’s fight for justice.

One such Gen Z-er is 24-year-old Universiti Malaya law graduate Liau Pin Chun, who was only nine when Beng Hock died while under MACC custody on July 16, 2009.

The aide to then-DAP assemblyperson for Seri Kembangan, Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the fifth-floor service corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam after being questioned overnight on the 14th floor of the then Selangor MACC headquarters.

In 2011, a Royal Commission of Inquiry determined that Beng Hock was driven to suicide following aggressive MACC questioning.

However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that the death was “a result of, or which was accelerated by, an unlawful act or acts of persons unknown, inclusive of the MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigations of the deceased.”

Liau recalled that she learned about the case over the morning news when she was on the way to school.

She then heard about it again from her school headmaster who usually explained significant local events to students during a moral education class each week.

“I remember the headmaster specifically dedicating a class to talk about this incident.

“But at that time, I was too young to understand why a murder case would cause such a huge uproar,” she said on Malaysiakini’s Chinese podcast.

It was only later that Liau realised the case was shrouded in mystery.

“It was also then that I understood that no one should die so inexplicably in a detention centre,” she added.

She said the case had a profound impact on her, being one of the reasons why she chose this path of study.

“The case was one of the reasons that made me want to study law.

“Following that, there were other events, such as Bersih and the anti-Lynas movement. These series of civic movements motivated me to use law to change society,” Liau said.

‘Make a change’

Another Gen Z-er, law student Lim Jing Jet, shared that he discovered the Beng Hock case through his involvement in debate competitions.

“In the past, I didn’t dive into the details (of the case). Now that I understand its context and why the whole thing happened, I feel it’s a very tragic matter,” he said on the podcast.

The 20-year-old said it was only after entering the Law Faculty at Universiti Malaya, joining student movements, and participating in the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) that he truly understood the injustices hidden behind the Beng Hock case.

“I feel that the Beng Hock case inspired my determination to use my knowledge and abilities to make a change.

“Even if it’s just a little, I want to continue on this path,” added Lim, who was only five years old when Beng Hock died.

Teoh family’s unwavering fight

While a decade and a half has gone by, Beng Hock’s family has not stopped in their tireless pursuit of justice.

Activist Teoh Lee Lan is no stranger to courtrooms, having spent all this time attending numerous trials, lawsuits, and appeals related to her brother’s controversial death.

Originally from Malacca, Lee Lan has been living in the Klang Valley for 24 years, with nearly two-thirds of that time spent advocating for Beng Hock’s case.

Lee Lan was 29 years old when her older brother of two years died, and despite the physical and emotional toll over the years, her determination to seek justice has never wavered.

Now 44, she shared that becoming a mother made her better understand her own mother’s struggles.

“Becoming a mother has made me more empathetic towards my mother’s hardships.

“She worked hard to raise her children and sent them to university. Just when he (Beng Hock) was about to get married, he was gone.

“To this day, there has been no reason or answer, and no one has been held accountable for his death,” Lee Lan said on the podcast.

She revealed that, in the years since, her parents’ health has deteriorated, especially her father Teoh Leong Hwee, who has mobility issues and is mainly cared for by her mother Teng Shuw Hor.

“They (my parents) have aged. My father is immobile now and relies on my mother to take care of him.

“My mother’s health is relatively good. She does have some ailments, but she can mostly take care of herself, which is good.”

Beng Hock’s son, Teoh Er Jia, who was born after his death, has also grown up and is now in Form 2 studying in Johor.

“Er Jia’s personality is quite similar to his father’s, and he is also quite talkative.

“He is a cheerful boy. He usually comes back during school holidays, long breaks, Chinese New Year, or when my father is unwell, to visit,” Lee Lan shared.

Mystery remains

Throughout the years, countless individuals have stood up for justice for Beng Hock.

In 2009, then DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke submitted a memorandum to then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak just six days after the death, demanding a thorough investigation into the case.

Then opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim also visited the scene of the crime to show support for Beng Hock and criticised the government at the time.

However, 15 years on, and with Anwar now at the helm as prime minister, the truth behind the case remains a mystery.

The Teoh family had sought meetings with Anwar multiple times after the Pakatan Harapan coalition took power for the second time in 2022, but they were unsuccessful.

On Feb 24, TBH-ADA visited the DAP headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. They planned to pay Transport Minister Anthony Loke a New Year call on the last day of the Chinese New Year, but he wasn’t available. Instead, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh met them on Loke’s behalf.

TBH-ADA will be conducting a “Walk for Justice” from July 13 to 15 to demand the truth from the government over unresolved matters surrounding the political aide’s death.

The 41.5km walk will start at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, which used to house the Selangor MACC office and was where Beng Hock was found dead. They will then walk towards Parliament.

Lee Lan said while they are seeking the truth and justice for Beng Hock, they are also pressing forward with this to prevent others from “dying in vain to law enforcement agencies”.

“It is not just for Beng Hock, but for the justice and truth gained behind this case to benefit the entire nation in the end.

“Because after achieving justice, there will be significant changes in our system.

“Beng Hock has passed away and is no longer with us. He cannot enjoy the fruits of the reforms,” she said on the podcast.

Hosted by Malaysiakini's social media senior executive Wong Zhi Zhen, the podcast episode will be available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

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