Cops could have handled Teoh Beng Hock march better: Fahmi

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the police’s handling of the Teoh Beng Hock Walk for Justice outside Parliament yesterday could be “improved”.

A brief altercation occurred after police formed a human barrier between Parliament and the protesters around 10am yesterday, which halted the procession from its destination.

“I believe there are several matters that we can improve and I hope these issues can be given attention by the relevant authorities,” he told reporters at an event in Putrajaya.

Fahmi added that he has been following the case and said that it’s “close to his heart” although he did not know Beng Hock personally.

Yesterday, a police cordon about 100m from Parliament’s gates prevented the walk organised by the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement from entering.

Tensions flared when demonstrators, led by Beng Hock’s sister Lee Lan, insisted on delivering their memorandum directly to Parliament.

After some negotiation, the Dewan Rakyat speaker’s office dispatched special officer Abdulhadi Khalid to receive the document.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also said he would review the contents of the memorandum and meet the group soon.

Earlier today, PKR Youth expressed its concern over the authorities’ “worrying” reaction to the peaceful rally.

PKR Youth communications director Haziq Azfar Ishak said authorities must react with courtesy and empathy on this issue.

Beng Hock died 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.

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