Teoh Beng Hock's family and supporters turned up at the Selangor MACC headquarters dressed up as the 'guards of the underworld' seeking a closure over the former political aide's death.
Teoh’s younger sister Lee Lan led the group, which included many who wore pointed hats, face masks with long red tongues,and hung joss paper over their necks. The costumes represent the two spirits in Taoist belief, the Chinese version of the Grim Reaper, who are in charge of bringing souls of the dead to the underworld.
“On the first anniversary of Teoh’s death, (MACC chief commissioner) Abu Kassim (Mohamed) told us that he understood the pain of losing a son and he promised us the truth behind my brother’s death,” Lee Lan said, weeping underneath her costume.
“What happened to your internal probe? If you can’t give us answers, then you should resign,” said Lee Lan.
Lee Lan said that her family was seeking an “open and transparent dialogue” with Abu Kassim to once and for all put a closure to the case.
Despite heavy rain, some 20 supporters went on a silent procession from a nearby hotel and walked towards the Selangor MACC at Wisma Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS).
The group held placards which read “We still remember” and walked under a drizzle for about 300 metres.
“We asked many times for answers, but after these years, there are none. There was only all sorts of little things they did to try to cover up. We remember all these,” said Lee Lan.
“We’ve given them three years, more than enough time. This is a last call to them to act and give us justice. Just saying sorry (which they didn’t) is not enough. When the general election comes, I hope the public can make a correct choice,” she said.
Lee said that the police should have continued their investigations, and not only charge the three MACC officials implicated but also take action on others who lied in court during the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
“If they are really innocent, why should they lie in court?” she asked.
Asked if she is tired, Lee Lan nodded and said:” If we are tired and we can get to the truth, we will never be tired. I wish our efforts will lead to a conclusion,” she said.
Case closed
On Thursday, it was revealed in parliament that the A-G’s Chambers has closed its case on Teoh’s death and had cleared the three MACC officers named in the RCI report– which had found that Teoh was driven to suicide following aggressive interrogation– of all offences.
An inquest was held but could only reach an “open verdict”. An RCI was subsequently held and the five-man RCI panel, headed by then federal court judge James Foong, had singled out the three officers who were involved in Teoh’s interrogations.
They were Selangor MACC deputy director Hishamuddin Hashim and his subordinates Mohd Anuar Ismail and Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus.
The Bar Council, which played an active role in the RCI into Teoh’s death, had urged the A-G to clarify and explain his decision.
Contrary to the RCI report which named the three men, the Bar Council had recommended that five MACC officers be investigated for culpable homicide.
The five officers include Hishamuddin, Mohd Anuar and Mohd Ashraf as well as Selangor MACC investigations chief, Hairul Ilham Hamzah, and Klang MACC assistant enforcement officer Zulkefly Aziz.
The Bar had recommended that the five be investigated under Section 304A of the Penal Code for causing the death of Teoh via negligence.
“It is also inconsistent. One statement says no charges, another says they are still investigating. Is this fair? My son went in as a witness a cheerful healthy boy, but came out a cold corpse.
“Why was no action taken against the three officers? Instead, they were given promotions.”
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