Act on Teoh's case or lose our votes, youth groups warn PM

Summary

• Over 40 youth groups warn Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan that their handling of the Teoh Beng Hock case will shape youth voting in the next general election.

• KLSCAH youth chief Wong Yan Ke criticises Anwar for condemning international injustices while remaining silent on Teoh’s death.

• He stresses that apologies and compensation are inadequate without criminal accountability.

Over 40 youth groups have warned the government that its responses to the Teoh Beng Hock case will influence the results of the next general election.

"We warn that the upcoming responses from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, DAP, and Pakatan Harapan will profoundly influence how the youth and university students evaluate you - not just as politicians, but as leaders.

"If you continue to dodge the core issues, we will not forget. And we will respond with our votes in the next general election," Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) youth chief Wong Yan Ke said in a statement, which was endorsed by 44 youth groups nationwide.

Wong found it troubling how Anwar touched on international injustices but failed to address those that occurred at home.

"Just one day after Beng Hock's death anniversary, the prime minister rightly condemned Israel's unjust air strikes on Syria, which is commendable.

"However, we urge Anwar to demonstrate the same resolve in addressing long-standing domestic injustices, such as the Beng Hock case.

"Only then can his government be seen as consistent in defending human rights at home and abroad. Otherwise, his spirited pronouncements on human rights risk becoming an international laughingstock," he added.

At the 16th anniversary of the former DAP political aide’s death yesterday, Beng Hock's sister Lee Lan reminded those present that Anwar had promised to provide the family with the full investigation report once the inquiries concluded.

She added that if the government believes the investigation is over, it should release the full report.

The family also bowed in response to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and three other leaders who had bowed in “respect and sorrow” to the family during a press conference on July 17.

Family’s demands

Speaking on the apologies from DAP and MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki to the Teoh family, Wong said that any apology without criminal accountability is mere talk.

It does not replace the judiciary, while any compensation is not equal to justice, he added.

As Beng Hock's case involves the loss of life, abuse of state power and national integrity, Wong said Anwar and the Home Ministry must address the Teoh Family’s demands instead of governmental departments or individual political parties.

Their demands are:

• For the government to establish an independent and professional international criminal investigation team to probe Beng Hock's death and apprehend MACC officers involved;

• Prosecute and convict officials who violated human rights under Sections 302 (murder) or 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Penal Code; and

• Expedite legal reforms to prevent deaths in custody caused by enforcement officers, including by amending Section 30 of the MACC Act to limit interrogation and statement-taking times as well as by enacting anti-torture laws.

16 years ago

Beng Hock, who was the aide to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead 16 years ago after overnight questioning at Selangor MACC in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam.

A royal commission of inquiry in 2011 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 Beng Hock’s death within six months.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers ultimately classified the case as no further action.

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