Beng Hock's sister urges DAP to use '40-MP strength' to push for murder probe

Teoh Beng Hock’s sister Teoh Lee Lan has urged DAP to use its parliamentary strength to push for her brother's death to be investigated as a murder.

In her speech at the 15th anniversary memorial service of Beng Hock’s death in custody today, Lee Lan pointed out that the courts had ruled his death as a homicide.

In 2014, the Court of Appeal found that his death was caused by the act of a person or persons unknown, including the MACC officers who had questioned him.

"We hope that DAP can leverage the strength of its 40 parliamentary seats within the unity government to call for the investigation of Beng Hock’s case under Section 302 of the Penal Code (for murder).

"We hope DAP can use its power to overturn the case and to bring to light the grievances we have voiced for the past 15 years. Arrest the culprits and prosecute them in court under Section 302 of the Penal Code," she said.

Fulfil promises

The Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) has been attempting to meet with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since he took office.

Lee Lan said they are requesting a meeting not just for the sake of meeting, but to see if the Pakatan Harapan government has the sincerity, courage, and political will to fulfil promises made to the Teoh family in the past.

She said her family wants an explanation after they have been forced to wait in vain for over a year since Harapan took power.

"Over the past year, we have been waiting for the unity government to take the initiative in fulfilling Harapan’s promises to the Teoh family when they were in opposition.

"We hope the Harapan government remembers that it's not just the Teoh family who is waiting for an answer, but the entire nation," she added.

The Teoh family has repeatedly requested a meeting with the prime minister to no avail.

However, after a clash between TBH-ADA and the police outside Parliament last week, Anwar has agreed to meet them on Aug 1.

‘Hope PM can apologise’

After the memorial service, DAP adviser Tan Kok Wai, who was in attendance, expressed hope that the prime minister would apologise.

“That is our stance,” he said when asked about Lee Lan’s call for an explanation from Anwar.

On the alleged police violence during the Walk for Justice event on July 15, Tan denounced such actions.

"The use of violence by law enforcement officers, regardless of who they are dealing with or the nature of the incident, must be condemned.

"Especially since the TBH-ADA and Lee Lan's actions were purely a peaceful petition, merely submitting a petition.

"Therefore, the police's response and actions that day must be condemned," the Cheras MP added.

TBH-ADA began the Walk for Justice on July 13, walking 45km to Parliament to submit a memorandum demanding truth, justice, and institutional reform.

However, the police intercepted them 100m from Parliament’s main entrance which broke out into a scuffle.

Last Thursday, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail defended the police’s action, saying he believed the measures were taken to ensure public safety.

Fight for justice

Earlier during a speech at the memorial service, Tan said Beng Hock's death symbolised the trampling of human rights, the desecration of justice, and great harm to a civilised society.

“Beng Hock's innocent loss of life is a serious violation, the bottom line of a civilised society. Any truly civilised country should not allow such incidents, nor can it tolerate unresolved injustices," he added.

Tan urged Anwar to redress the injustice as soon as possible to restore public trust in the judiciary.

"The PM should publicly acknowledge the injustices in Beng Hock's case, uphold the Court of Appeal’s ruling, and express his and the government's deep sympathy and support for Beng Hock’s family."

Anwar should also commit to a comprehensive review of Beng Hock's case, ensuring that the investigation process is free from external interference and that the truth is uncovered in a just and thorough manner, he added.

A hundred at memorial

A crowd of approximately a hundred people gathered at Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih to pay their respects to Beng Hock during the memorial service.

Besides Tan, other DAP representatives present were party treasurer Fong Kui Lun, women's wing chairperson Teo Nie Ching, Selangor DAP deputy chairperson Ean Yong Hian Wah, Selangor DAP Youth chairperson Wayne Ong, Selangor DAP publicity secretary Wong Siew Ki, Malacca party chairperson Khoo Poay Tiong, Raub MP Chow Yu Hui, Bakri MP Tan Hong Pin, and Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Rajiv Rishyakaran.

Representing the Teoh family were Lee Lan and her mother Teng Shuw Hor, while TBH-ADA was represented by its chairperson Ng Yap Hwa.

Ong started the memorial service at 9am with a eulogy, followed by a minute of silent reflection. Attendees then bowed three times to Beng Hock and laid flowers in tribute.

During her speech, Lee Lan also thanked DAP MPs and assemblypersons who attended the event.

Beng Hock died under MACC custody on July 16, 2009.

The aide to then-DAP Seri Kembangan assemblyperson 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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