What about Beng Hock, family asks DAP amid push for UEC, reforms

The family of Teoh Beng Hock has welcomed DAP's renewed reform agenda and push to get the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) recognised.

However, they ask whether DAP will also show the same fervour in seeking justice for Beng Hock - who died under suspicious circumstances while under MACC custody in 2009.

"We call on DAP to uphold the same strong determination regarding the UEC and Beng Hock’s case to implement fairness, justice, trustworthiness, and institutional accountability," the deceased's sister, Lee Lan, said in a statement today.

"DAP must know that the reason Beng Hock’s case continues to stir social emotions after so many years is not that it is merely a case, but because this bloodshed symbolises a fundamental baseline that a nation must possess - that the truth must be given an outlet, and the system must be able to correct its errors," she added.

‘Why is there no answer?’

After being wiped out in the Sabah election, DAP has set a six-month deadline for the government to deliver on an unspecified number of reforms, failing which it would consider relinquishing cabinet posts while still propping up Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

Part of this agenda includes a push to get UEC recognition.

However, Lee Lan noted that five years ago, then DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had also made a similar pledge to the Teoh family during a memorial service for Beng Hock.

"(Lim said) if Harapan returned to power, a deadline would be set to reopen and reverse the verdict on Beng Hock’s case. He also emphasised that the DAP would not abandon Teoh Beng Hock and would not let the perpetrators go unpunished.

"Yet five years later, why is there no answer, no direction, and no deadline?" she asked.

Questions remain

In 2009, Beng Hock, 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 royal commission of inquiry 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.

In May this year, the AGC ultimately classified the case as no further action.

Later in July, the MACC apologised to the Teoh family and offered to pay a "goodwill contribution".

DAP leaders led by secretary-general Anthony Loke then urged the family to accept the apology and gesture.

However, the Teoh family rejected both.

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