Gerakan: Shame on Anwar and Harapan, apologise to Teoh's kin

Summary

• Gerakan president Dominic Lau tells the PM and Pakatan Harapan to apologise to Teoh Beng Hock’s family for using his death for political mileage for more than a decade, following the recent NFA decision in his case.

• He proposes setting up an independent commission to review the police investigation.

• Lau also tells Harapan leaders, and DAP in particular, to reflect on their broken promise to deliver justice for Teoh and his family.

After more than a decade of invoking Teoh Beng Hock’s tragic death for political mileage, Gerakan president Dominic Lau has called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Harapan coalition to issue a formal apology to Teoh’s family.

Lau expressed deep regret over the authorities’ recent decision to classify the reopened investigation into the former DAP aide’s 2009 death as “No Further Action” (NFA), insisting that Harapan owes Teoh’s loved ones - and all Malaysians - a clear and honest explanation.

Reaffirming that the truth behind Teoh’s death must be uncovered, the Gerakan leader proposed the formation of an independent commission to review the police’s handling of the case.

“The death of a citizen cannot be brushed aside without a just answer. Moreover, in addition to Teoh’s case, other cases such as the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh and several others remain unresolved to this day,” he noted.

‘Empty promises, false hopes’

Lau voiced his party’s frustration over the lack of progress on Teoh’s death, saying justice has remained elusive for 15 years.

“We at Gerakan are deeply disappointed and angered by the latest developments in this case. The justice and truth that awaited Teoh’s family for 15 years have not materialised.

“Sadly, every time an election approaches, Harapan leaders merely toy with this issue through empty promises and false hope. This once again proves that their slogans about institutional reform and justice are nothing but rhetoric,” he added.

Lau said it is shameful that Harapan has failed to deliver on its commitments, despite having held power twice.

“Ironically, only during election seasons or when they return to being the opposition do they revive the issue of Teoh Beng Hock,” he said.

‘Who to trust if PM can break promises?’

He also singled out the DAP, urging its leaders - including former secretary-general Lim Guan Eng - to reflect on their past speeches and pledges related to Teoh’s case.

“The people must open their eyes and evaluate the true character of Harapan leaders. Can a government that fails to fulfil its promises still be trusted?

“I truly hope that Harapan leaders will realise and regret their actions. They once said they weren’t the government and therefore couldn’t defend Teoh.

“But now that they are in power, the decision made is extremely disappointing and deeply hurtful to Teoh’s family.

“If even the promise made personally by the prime minister to Teoh’s family can be broken, then who can the people trust anymore?” he asked.

Yesterday, the Attorney-General’s Chambers stated that police investigations into Teoh’s death did not find sufficient evidence to prove wrongdoing by any individuals.

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