Trust fund for Teoh Beng Hock’s son stands at RM520,000

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — The Teoh Beng Hock Trust Fund, set up for the dead political aide’s only son, Teoh Er Jia, stands at more than half a million ringgit today.

“As at May 23, 2012, donations for the Teoh Beng Hock Trust Fund totalled RM523,274.98 while disbursement for living expenses of Beng Hock’s son Er Jia amounted to RM49,247.65,” DAP Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching said today in a press statement.

Teo (picture) is one of two trustees for the fund. The other is Er Jia’s mother, Soh Cher Wei, 31.

The trust fund was launched in 2009 by the DAP following feedback from party members and the public — outraged by events surrounding Beng Hock’s death — who were looking for a way to show their support to the family.

Teo said RM30,004.40 was disbursed for purchasing education insurance for Er Jia, 3, and RM3,602.15 for medical insurance.

“The purpose of purchasing the education insurance is to ensure that Er Jia be able to afford his education expenses by the time he reaches 18 years old,” she explained.

“Currently, RM15,010 is being paid annually for 15 years, whereby the total payment will amount to RM225,001.50,” she added.

Teo also said Er Jia’s insurance scheme, “a long-term investment”, had expected returns upon maturity to be RM330,177 to RM407,470.

“The trust fund continues to receive donations from concerned, caring Malaysians, with the majority of donors preferring to remain anonymous,” she said.

“On behalf of Teoh Beng Hock’s family and DAP, I wish to express my gratitude for their kind deeds and promise to administer the funds properly.”

Soh is a primary school teacher in her hometown of Batu Pahat.

While she had been inducted into the Teoh family in a traditional Chinese ceremony last year — which accords her the same rights as if she was officially wedded to Beng Hock — finances remain a concern with their working-class background.

Teoh’s body was found on a landing of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) headquarters at the time, the day after he was interrogated overnight on July 16, 2009.

A royal commission of inquiry (RCI) found that Teoh was driven to suicide after aggressive and relentless interrogation by three graft-busting officers.