Beng Hock’s family still waiting for appointment with PM

Since Anwar Ibrahim took office in November last year, the family of Teoh Beng Hock has been trying to get an appointment to meet the prime minister to no avail.

DAP national publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching, however, assured that efforts were still being made to make that meeting happen and to get justice.

Teoh was found dead on July 16, 2009, on the fifth-floor service corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam after being questioned overnight on the 14th floor of the Selangor MACC headquarters.

During a memorial service in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Teoh's sister, Teoh Lee Lan, recalled how Anwar had previously shown support to the family following Teoh’s death.

This included visiting the site of his death and also attending his funeral.

"We hope that Anwar still remembers him, remembers our family, and we look forward to the prime minister setting a meeting as soon as possible," she said.

She said the family hoped that with Anwar in office, investigations into Teoh's death could be expedited.

At the time of his death, Teoh was a political aide to Selangor state executive councillor and incumbent DAP Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah.

In 2011, a Royal Commission of Inquiry determined that Teoh was driven to commit suicide following aggressive questioning by the MACC.

In 2014, the Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that Teoh's death was caused by the act of “a person or persons unknown”, including the MACC officers who questioned him overnight before he was found dead.

Teoh Beng Hock Trust chairperson Ng Yap Hwa said the foundation and the family have been sending letters to Anwar and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail since last year.

"We hope you still remember the very reason that you were present at the Plaza Masalam 14 years ago. I hope you still remember the innocent victim who died at the MACC.

"They definitely did not share the spirit of your Madani government. So, we hope that you can take steps to find a solution for Teoh’s case.

"We hope that the Madani government can set up a new police investigation team to investigate the unpowered truth behind Teoh's political death," he said.

DAP national publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching

Meanwhile, Teo - representing DAP - assured the family and supporters that the party has not forgotten about Teoh.

She said the party has also conveyed the family and the trust's desire to meet Anwar to the premier.

However, she said they were still waiting on a date.

"We believe that by bringing the family to meet him face to face to discuss this will actually help us to clarify, to make sure that the utmost effort is made to seek justice for Teoh," she said. - Mkini