Beng Hock's death: Compensation offer, apology send wrong message - Bersih

Summary

• Attempt to settle Teoh Beng Hock’s death akin to saying those in power are shielded from criminal responsibility or legal consequences, Bersih says.

• Democracy watchdog agrees with Teoh’s family that apology lacked sincerity.

Democracy watchdog Bersih has criticised MACC’s public apology and offer of compensation to the family of Teoh Beng Hock, saying it can send the wrong message to the public.

In a statement, it said such an attempt to settle Teoh’s tragic death is akin to saying that those in power are shielded from criminal responsibility or legal consequences.

Instead, MACC should take measures to hold those responsible for the incident accountable, Bersih stressed, adding that they shared the sentiment of Teoh’s family that the apology lacked sincerity.

“(MACC chief) Azam Baki seems to be deliberately avoiding the key issues: the officers implicated by the royal commission of inquiry (RCI) and the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which stated that Teoh’s death was caused by multiple MACC officers.

“We suggest that if the government or the MACC is sincere in its apology, the first step should be to suspend the officers involved who are still in service while awaiting criminal prosecution.

“Secondly, freeze the pensions of those who have retired, and allocate the entire sum as solatium for the family or to support the living and educational expenses of Teoh’s child,” said the statement issued by the Bersih steering committee.

‘Empty reforms’

The group further chided a series of improvements that MACC had introduced to its investigation procedures following Teoh’s death in 2009.

According to Bersih, the reforms could only be genuinely implemented when MACC officers involved in the tragedy are brought to justice.

“The RCI and the Malaysian Bar revealed long ago that MACC officers involved were suspected of destroying and tampering with evidence and colluding on their testimony.

“In other words, no matter how advanced the equipment or facility is, as long as the culture of impunity within law enforcement agencies is not eradicated, those who abuse their power will continue to find ways to evade justice.

“Reforms will ultimately be cosmetic or nothing more than empty talk,” it said.

In conjunction with the 16th anniversary of Teoh’s death yesterday, MACC had issued its first public apology to the victim's family for their pain and suffering.

In his statement, Azam also announced the anti-graft agency’s readiness to provide a “goodwill contribution” to Teoh’s family, particularly to support his only son’s welfare and educational needs.

However, Teoh’s family, in a same-day response, rejected the offer, saying they want justice instead of money.

Case background

In 2009, Teoh, who was then-Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah’s aide, was found dead after overnight questioning at Selangor MACC, which was then headquartered at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.

A 2011 RCI ruled that he was driven to suicide due to aggressive interrogation. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled his death was caused or accelerated by unlawful acts, including those of MACC officers.

On Nov 21 last year, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered the police to complete the investigation into Teoh’s death within six months.

In May, the Attorney-General’s Chambers ultimately classified the case as no further action.

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