By Lim Chee Han
I am one of Teoh Beng Hock’s former colleagues and friends from the other office during my time working for the Selangor state government. We shared many lunches together.
I am not speaking in my personal capacity here. But, as a representative of Agora Society Malaysia, I have something to say to the whole country.
I am touched that so many people here have not forgotten Teoh Beng Hock, and we still want to see justice done. We civil society have to take action and we will take action.
What kind of action? Democratic action! Please listen to the democratic action being displayed in this room!
We are saying no to the government’s “No Further Action”. It is as good as no action. It is totally unacceptable. They are so wrong.
Teoh Beng Hock is the symbol of state violence and injustice against an aspiring opposition politician at the time.
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We were promised the slogan “Keadilan untuk semua” (Justice for all)! ‘Semua’ mestilah termasuk Teoh Beng Hock. (‘All’ must of course include Teoh.)
Teoh was shockingly sacrificed for a political cause. He was someone so dear to his family, comrades and party.
It is so sad and ironic that his party is in a governing position and is the largest party bloc. Yet the leadership distances itself from justice for Teoh. If they cannot deliver justice for their comrade Teoh Beng Hock, what hope is there for anyone else?
Sixteen years is indeed a long time to wait for justice. If he were a child that age, he would be taking his SPM (Year 11) exams next year. While he has a good chance of passing the exam, this government has failed the exam in the subjects of justice and reformasi! They have been ‘no show’ for weeks when we asked them about the Teoh Beng Hock case.
So many things have happened in this country in the last 16 years. We have witnessed major political changes, from the Najib Razak-led Barisan Nasional to the Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan 1.0 to the Mahiaddin Yasin-led Perikatan Nasional to the Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led BN to the current Anwar Ibrahim-led PH-BN coalition government.
Despite all the changes in the political landscape, justice for Teoh and other victims of state violence is not yet served.
We were never confident in the BN leaders at the helm, who might have [allegedly] orchestrated the case and stood to benefit from the episode.
Many would have thought that once our opposition comrades came to power, they would reveal the truth, punish the wrongdoers and deliver justice to the victims.
This remains a promise, but it is seemingly drifting further and further away from us.
We must take it back. This is not just a demand of the Teoh family. We in civil society also want to see justice done.
Anwar, the symbol of Reformasi, was supposed to bring Harapan (hope) to the people. More than two years have passed. What has he done for reform and justice for all? He also once signed a petition supporting the Teoh Beng Hock case and demanding justice.
His government is making a mockery for many PH supporters – because BN is in it. This former arch-rival caused so much pain to the people and to other politicians and activists. Now that times have changed, DAP leaders [apparently] feel more at ease at Umno events than at events like this one!
Surprisingly, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is still the same. Even “Tangkap Azam Baki” (Haul up, MACC chief Azam Baki) has become “Kekal Baki” (Retain Azam Baki).
There have been many cases of DNAA (discharge not amounting to an acquittal), and perhaps it will become DAA (discharge amounting to an acquittal) in the future, especially those involving BN leaders. That’s the fear many in civil society have.
DAP politicians cannot say because they are not in a position to control the ‘deep state’, they just give up or go with the flow.
Hello, they have a collective responsibility for their colleagues too! Tak kan you only want (Surely you don’t only want) to take the glory of your government actions but refuse [to shoulder the blame due to] your colleague’s action? Most importantly, there is a moral responsibility. Don’t run away.
Since the MACC is connected to the Teoh case, the police force must make more efforts to conduct a more thorough and independent investigation, as well as collect crucial information and evidence, especially with the MACC’s cooperation.
The attorney general is currently the gatekeeper who decides whether or not to proceed with a case. This is all politically connected; a politically sensitive case like Teoh’s will not see the light of day without political will.
So, here is my demand of the reformist government and the prime minister.
- Azam must resign to avoid embarrassing his political masters, and all major appointments to public institutions must be approved by the parliamentary select committee to be legitimate.
- More serious amendments must be made to improve the problematic and toothless Independent Police Conduct Commission, turning it into the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.
- All deaths in custody and forced disappearances must be investigated. [Those responsible have to be held] accountable and answerable to public. Justice must be seen to be done. Any intentional delay is unjustified. Silence is not an option!
- Please separate the Attorney General’s Chambers from the role of public prosecutor now! We have been talking about this under many governments. PH, you wrote this in your manifesto, as did other political parties!
I will now conclude my speech by reiterating these demands. I stand in solidarity with everyone here. Keadilan untuk Beng Hock, Keadilan untuk semua. (Justice for Beng Hock, Justice for all.) Hidup Rakyat (Long live the People), Reformasi! – Agora
Dr Lim Chee Han delivered this address on 3 June 2025 at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur, at a Solidarity with Teoh Beng Hock and Family event.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
