DAP secretary general Anthony Loke today acknowledged that the previous Pakatan Harapan administration had failed to bring those responsible for Teoh Beng Hock’s death to justice. 

“It is a matter of frustration and regret. Facing criticisms from the public and the family, however unpleasant and harsh, we take them with an open heart. 

“But we remain steadfast to the cause. Justice must be served and the perpetrators must be apprehended and brought to face the full force of law,” he said, during a speech to commemorate Teoh’s 13-years death anniversary today.  

In July 2009, Teoh was found dead at the then-Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, Selangor.  

After a public outcry, then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak established a royal commission of inquiry to investigate his death.  

The commission ruled that Teoh was not murdered but was driven to suicide due to the aggressive interrogation tactics employed by three MACC officers. However, Teoh’s family rejected the findings and insisted that he was murdered.  

In July 2019, during Pakatan’s administration, then Attorney-General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas claimed that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a culpable homicide investigation into Teoh death’s  

“The present state of evidence is insufficient to proper a charge under Section 304 or 304A of the Penal Code. 

“However, this recent classification does not prevent investigators from looking into the truth or as to who were involved in his death in any way,” The Star reported Thomas as saying back then.  

Death in custody cases rising  

On that note, Loke said that on June 16 this year, the high court had granted leave to late Teoh’s parents to initiate a judicial review for the police to complete the probe into their son’s death. 

He added that Bukit Gelugor MP, Ramkarpal Singh, is serving as the family’s counsel for the case.  

In general, Loke reminded the public that death in custody as become rampant over the years, with 176 lives lost between 2015 and November 2021.  

“Last year, we had a record year with 44 such cases. This year, we have recorded 19 cases of death in custody.  

“Each of these death in custody cases keep us awake and remind us that we have not attained much progress in implementing reforms. We also realise that this is a crucial moment and our fight must continue despite setbacks.  

“Otherwise, Teoh’s sacrifice would be in vain,” Loke remarked. – July 17, 2022