On the first day of the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement’s (TBH-ADA) Walk for Justice event, I injured my foot after marching 12km and needed medical attention to continue the remaining 23km.
After resting for a night, I walked on with only minor pain the next morning but couldn't go further than 13km. I broke an umbrella I used as support, bent another, and each step felt like needles prickling my foot.
I could only finish the last 17km with the help of crutches. On the third day, the final 5km was supposed to be the easiest, but my injured foot started faintly throbbing during the last kilometre.
Finally, we reached the entrance of the Parliament building, about 300 to 400m away.
We initially thought we could freely and peacefully walk to Parliament to hand over our memorandum to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as we had done in the past.
Unexpectedly, the police blocked us, refusing to let us through. When we asked why, they said it was under their superior's orders.
Parliament belongs to the people who elected the MPs. Since when did it become a place that ignores the voices and demands of the electorate?
We insisted on our right to meet our elected representatives at the Parliament gates. However, we were met with police resistance.
The police pulled at the clothes of my TBH-ADA teammate, who was tightly holding my arm, choking and causing him breathing difficulties. His necklace was also broken in the process.
The chaos led to pulling before I fell over. Some other members were shoved and pushed down by the police in the fracas. Participants were heartbroken by the police's violent treatment.
We only wanted to peacefully walk to the Parliament entrance to hand over our memorandum, not storm inside to cause trouble. Why were we treated like criminals with dangerous weapons?
Expected better from Anwar
During the standoff with the police, four DAP MPs and one from PKR arrived to try and mediate the situation but couldn't reach an agreement.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching was one of them and she asked if I was okay. I asked her why the previous government allowed people to hand over memorandums at the Parliament entrance, but now it wasn't allowed.
She said she didn't know and went to speak to the police.
If Anwar didn’t instruct this, then after two years in government, shouldn't measures that reject public opinion and violently obstruct people from submitting memorandums be abolished?
Let the people hand over memorandums at the Parliament entrance!
After everyone's efforts, we finally submitted the memorandum 50m from the Parliament entrance.
Teo checked on me again over my injuries. At that point, I couldn't respond; I was still in shock and angry. My body was numb, and I couldn't feel the soreness and pain, still trapped in the horror of police violence.
I only felt heartbroken; I was internally wounded. Is this how the party I once respected and trusted repays us?
Is this how the party, which has supported us for 15 years and promised never to forget Beng Hock and never let the culprits go, shows its commitment?
Memorial service
I need an explanation and an answer. This July 21 at 8am, DAP will organise a memorial for my brother at the Nirvana Memorial Park. I will listen quietly.
The party Beng Hock joined, DAP, should be trustworthy and reliable. His comrades should be just, courageous, and responsible. They are certainly not what netizens say - fleeing from politics and being indifferent.
My family and Beng Hock will wait for you at his grave, as usual, hoping you will come as promised. - Mkini
TEOH LEE LAN is Beng Hock’s sister and activist with the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement.
This article was originally written in Chinese and first posted on the author’s Facebook. It was republished with the author’s permission and translated using AI before being further edited for clarity and flow.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.