Five years on, Beng Hock’s family still fighting for justice
As the fifth anniversary of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock's death approaches, his family and friends have vowed to continue fighting for justice for him by putting pressure on the authorities to bring those responsible for his death to book.
Beng Hock's sister Teoh Lee Lan said they would not stop until the person responsible for her brother's death on July 16, 2009, was punished.
"Our last hope is in the hands of the Court of Appeal. We hope that the judges will look into this matter before making their decision. We will fight for Beng Hock until justice prevails," said Lee Lan at her brother's remembrance event held at the Nirvana Memorial Centre in Semenyih today.
Also present were DAP leaders Lim Guan Eng, Lim Kit Siang, Dr Ong Kian Ming, Lim Kok Wai and several others.
"It has been five years. We are moving on with our lives. But we are still grieving, you have been missed a lot. Especially seeing your boy growing up," said Lee Lan, referring to Beng Hock’s son, Teoh Er Jia, 4.
Beng Hock's fiancee, Soh Cher Wei, was pregnant with Er Jia when he died.
Soh and Er Jia, who live in Batu Pahat, were not present today as it is a working day for Soh, a teacher.
"We see Er Jia every school holiday. He is growing fast, a very active boy. He knows his father passed away but he is still too small to understand what had happened," Lee Lan said.
Beng Hock, who was the political aide to Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.
He had been summoned by the MACC to have his statement recorded over his boss's alleged abuse of state funds.
On December 1, 2011, the High Court in a revision, upheld the coroner's open verdict in the inquest to ascertain the circumstances leading to Beng Hock’s death.
Both the coroner and the High Court found there were pre-fall injuries on Beng Hock’s neck but concluded that there was insufficient evidence to point towards assault.
The family had filed a suit against the MACC and 12 others in February last year for assault and occupier's liability.
Teoh’s father, Leong Hwee, his mother, Teng Shuw Hoi, Soh and Er Jia are seeking damages for their sadness, loss of dependency and negligence on the part of the defendants.
So far, 13 witnesses have given evidence for the family.
But the civil suit was put off pending the Court of Appeal decision on whether the former political aide had died due to foul play or he had committed suicide. – July 13, 2014.
