Published: Aug 4, 2025 7:30 AM
Updated: 10:32 AM
“Along the way, some have smeared us, cursed at us, thrown stones, and said we’re only after money.”
Updated: 10:32 AM
“Along the way, some have smeared us, cursed at us, thrown stones, and said we’re only after money.”
- Teoh Lee Lan, sister to
the late Teoh Beng Hock
COMMENT | It is important to remember that Teoh Beng Hock not only represents the deaths in custody that plague the state security apparatus, but more importantly symbolises how the state (which the DAP is part of) protects those who commit malfeasance while carrying out their duties.
When “Thanos” was transferred, the spirit of Beng Hock was present. When the MACC does not investigate certain cases, the spirit of Beng Hock is present. When the state claims that there is not enough evidence to prosecute religious provocateurs, the spirit of Beng Hock is present. When the police refuse to act on the kidnapping of M Indira Gandhi’s child, the spirit of Beng Hock is present. When Raymond Koh, Amri Che Mat, Pamela Ling, and others are subject to enforced disappearance, the spirit of Beng Hock is present.
When the mandarins of the DAP bowed and asked for the family of Beng Hock to accept the MACC’s apology, what they were essentially signalling is that the DAP was closing the book on the Beng Hock murder. When asked if MACC’s apology was an admission of its guilt, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said he would leave that for MACC to answer.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke (middle)
Think about this for a moment. The head of the DAP could not even summon up the courage to make a value judgement on an official statement from a government agency on the death of a comrade.
Instead, he wanted the family to accept a Mandani cash contribution and apology from the MACC, which did not specify anything beyond that the agency took note of the various contradictory judgments and investigations over the years.
Shielded by the state
Let me be very clear here. The state knows exactly who was involved in the death of Beng Hock. The Court of Appeal made that clear. What we are dealing with is the state’s refusal to take action. The Beng Hock case is not a whodunit but rather how long they can get away with it.
Keep in mind the attorney-general’s findings in the latest investigation. The attorney-general’s brief statement, unlike what the courts concluded, that “the police investigations into Beng Hock’s death did not find sufficient evidence to prove wrongdoing by any individuals”, is a rubber stamp on the narratives that the state has been pushing for 15 years and enables cretins to claim that there is no evidence, hence no crime.
Remember Lim Guan Eng, the former big cheese of DAP, blamed former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin for not following through with an investigation, even though the then-cabinet had agreed to one.
In 2020, at a Beng Hock memorial service as reported in the press, Lim said that although DAP was no longer in federal power, he assured the party would never give up their fight for Beng Hock.
However, when the DAP was in power, they did nothing.
Instead, he wanted the family to accept a Mandani cash contribution and apology from the MACC, which did not specify anything beyond that the agency took note of the various contradictory judgments and investigations over the years.
Shielded by the state
Let me be very clear here. The state knows exactly who was involved in the death of Beng Hock. The Court of Appeal made that clear. What we are dealing with is the state’s refusal to take action. The Beng Hock case is not a whodunit but rather how long they can get away with it.
Keep in mind the attorney-general’s findings in the latest investigation. The attorney-general’s brief statement, unlike what the courts concluded, that “the police investigations into Beng Hock’s death did not find sufficient evidence to prove wrongdoing by any individuals”, is a rubber stamp on the narratives that the state has been pushing for 15 years and enables cretins to claim that there is no evidence, hence no crime.
Remember Lim Guan Eng, the former big cheese of DAP, blamed former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin for not following through with an investigation, even though the then-cabinet had agreed to one.
In 2020, at a Beng Hock memorial service as reported in the press, Lim said that although DAP was no longer in federal power, he assured the party would never give up their fight for Beng Hock.
However, when the DAP was in power, they did nothing.
Teoh Beng Hock
There is a connective tissue between MACC and the political class, and it is mutually beneficial for MACC and the political class to be simpatico. Mind you, I am not making this claim. In June 2020, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned MACC to stop harassing his comrades or “we have to be very active in exposing all the wrong things that they (government) carry out”.
And let us be honest. Has DAP suffered because of its lack of action in getting justice for a murdered comrade? Politically, with their 40 seats, DAP understands they are Teflon when it comes to this issue. Folks may deride their inaction online, but this does not translate to sanctions during elections.
The fear of the green wave is more potent than DAP’s miserable failings when it comes to Beng Hock. While the Malay establishment protects its own, non-Malay power brokers have to grovel and essentially say, please take the cash.
Apology without justice
Do not get me wrong. It must have taken a lot of back-room manoeuvring by DAP to get MACC to “apologise” to the Teoh family.
Furthermore, when MACC pointed out that it is “committed to addressing past shortcomings and rebuilding public trust” by implementing reforms to “ensure the welfare of individuals assisting in investigations is safeguarded” including video interviewing rooms, setting up interview rooms on the ground floor, and equipping MACC buildings with iron grilles, this was an admission that whatever measures pre-Beng Hock was criminally lacking.
So, what this apology is and what the DAP is asking Beng Hock’s family to do is play along with the sandiwara that although Beng Hock’s murder was tragic, some kind of good has come out of it. Now this is a powerful appeal to emotion, especially if you are a “non”. Why? Because the “nons” know there are two sets of rules.
In other words, this is the best deal the Teoh family can get. The implication is that while Beng Hock’s death “was caused or accelerated by unlawful acts, including those of MACC officers”, these officers will never face justice, but the family can take cold comfort in the cash “contribution” and the fact that the MACC has “reformed” its procedures for dealing with individuals summoned by the graft-busting agency. This, of course, does not apply to Pamela Ling, you understand.
Beng Hock’s family want to take their case to the UN, but at best, Beng Hock will just end up as another data point in the thousands of deaths in custody that happen all over the world.
The true power lies in the hands of voters, and as long as DAP is secure in the knowledge that, although angry, most voters would never vote against them because of the green wave, this will be the only deal Beng Hock’s family gets.
This is what passes for justice in Madani and what voters signed up for.
There is a connective tissue between MACC and the political class, and it is mutually beneficial for MACC and the political class to be simpatico. Mind you, I am not making this claim. In June 2020, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned MACC to stop harassing his comrades or “we have to be very active in exposing all the wrong things that they (government) carry out”.
And let us be honest. Has DAP suffered because of its lack of action in getting justice for a murdered comrade? Politically, with their 40 seats, DAP understands they are Teflon when it comes to this issue. Folks may deride their inaction online, but this does not translate to sanctions during elections.
The fear of the green wave is more potent than DAP’s miserable failings when it comes to Beng Hock. While the Malay establishment protects its own, non-Malay power brokers have to grovel and essentially say, please take the cash.
Apology without justice
Do not get me wrong. It must have taken a lot of back-room manoeuvring by DAP to get MACC to “apologise” to the Teoh family.
Furthermore, when MACC pointed out that it is “committed to addressing past shortcomings and rebuilding public trust” by implementing reforms to “ensure the welfare of individuals assisting in investigations is safeguarded” including video interviewing rooms, setting up interview rooms on the ground floor, and equipping MACC buildings with iron grilles, this was an admission that whatever measures pre-Beng Hock was criminally lacking.
So, what this apology is and what the DAP is asking Beng Hock’s family to do is play along with the sandiwara that although Beng Hock’s murder was tragic, some kind of good has come out of it. Now this is a powerful appeal to emotion, especially if you are a “non”. Why? Because the “nons” know there are two sets of rules.
In other words, this is the best deal the Teoh family can get. The implication is that while Beng Hock’s death “was caused or accelerated by unlawful acts, including those of MACC officers”, these officers will never face justice, but the family can take cold comfort in the cash “contribution” and the fact that the MACC has “reformed” its procedures for dealing with individuals summoned by the graft-busting agency. This, of course, does not apply to Pamela Ling, you understand.
Beng Hock’s family want to take their case to the UN, but at best, Beng Hock will just end up as another data point in the thousands of deaths in custody that happen all over the world.
The true power lies in the hands of voters, and as long as DAP is secure in the knowledge that, although angry, most voters would never vote against them because of the green wave, this will be the only deal Beng Hock’s family gets.
This is what passes for justice in Madani and what voters signed up for.
S THAYAPARAN is commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
***
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Teoh. Sort by date Show all posts
6/01/2017
Let us not forget Teoh Beng Hock
Alas, someone in the DAP might have forgotten
The evil that was perpetuated on a young manBy a Nazi-like organization that has been rotten
Yet easily forgiven by a political flash in the pan
All for grubby politics, none for integrity nor justice
For a man slain on the very eve of his wedding day
Oh we weep, what treachery to become so solicitous
To abandon principles, an evil crime now is gainsay
When is the MACC going to hand over to the police the person responsible for the untimely death of Teoh Beng Hock?
 |
DAP leader Lim Kit Siang shook hands with Rohaizad Yaakob, a top Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) official to show the opposition’s solidarity with the MACC Yet just a year earlier Kit Siang in his article, titled "Malaysians will not rest until justice is done for the killing of Teoh Beng Hock" said DAP and Pakatan Rakyat would continue to highlight the injustice of Teoh Beng Hock’s unresolved murder what utter bullshit |
But I haven't!
When is the MACC going to hand over to the police the person responsible for the untimely death of Teoh Beng Hock?
8/06/2015
Forgetting Teoh Beng Hock
Hey, my late name was Teoh Beng Hock
Is that even in your memory
Or just a wee footnote in history
My story soon to become mere talk-cock
Those who sinned against me
Cursing my family with veritable untold woes
Making Er Jia a fatherless baby
And those men with no pity
Have become icons by you, your new heroes
Thou faithless headless chooks
Cursing my family with veritable untold woes
Making Er Jia a fatherless baby
And those men with no pity
Have become icons by you, your new heroes
Thou faithless headless chooks
Have further insulted my already grieving family
Giving the enemy support but not rebukes
Ever greater pain my family now brooks
All because of your sad self-interest treachery
Giving the enemy support but not rebukes
Ever greater pain my family now brooks
All because of your sad self-interest treachery
Bhai once said don't be immoral
In desperately seeking victory without morality
Nor should one be ever unethical
But safeguard and value our principle
To never sacrifice and replace with hypocrisy
In desperately seeking victory without morality
Nor should one be ever unethical
But safeguard and value our principle
To never sacrifice and replace with hypocrisy
YOU UNMITIGATED HYPOCRITICAL BASTARDS!
Read also my KTemoc Komposes posts:
(1) Remembering Teoh Beng Hock
(2) The murder of Teoh Beng Hock
(3) I work for the rights of the dead
And read Malaysiakini:
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