By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 21: With the Democratic Action Party (DAP) now part of the federal government, they have the opportunity, resource, and authority at the federal level to pursue justice regarding Teoh Beng Hock’s case, says Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.
In a statement, he added that it was ‘absurd’ to ask for a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) assemblyman, who is not even a member of Parliament (MP), to request for its coalition members who are federal ministers to act on a case the DAP once promised to resolve despite the latter having over 40 MPs.
“DAP came into power twice, in 2018 and after GE15 (the 15th General Election in 2022) and held key ministerial and Cabinet positions, including those related to law and institutional reform.
“Yet justice remains undelivered. The case is now marked ‘No Further Action’ (NFA) by the Attorney-General on DAP’s watch,” said Yap.
He added that DAP’s current power in the federal government is why expectations are higher.
“Yes, Teoh’s death occurred under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government. But that’s precisely why expectations are higher when DAP took power. Malaysians expected DAP to act, and they failed.
“If DAP truly believes Teoh died due to ‘unlawful acts by unknown persons’, why has the case been allowed to close? If DAP disagrees with the AG’s decision, why hasn’t it pushed for Cabinet intervention? Why hasn’t it tabled a motion in Parliament?” Yap questioned.
Yap then added that if he were an MP, he would have tabled a motion in the Dewan Rakyat demanding a proper investigation and accountability within the MACC, which includes the following:
- Independent oversight for MACC and police interrogations.
- Mandatory video surveillance, rest periods, legal counsel, and medical checks in custody.
- Amending Section 30 of the MACC Act to limit prolonged questioning.
- Ratifying the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) and aligning laws accordingly.
“If DAP truly believes in justice for Teoh Beng Hock, they must act or admit they can’t.
“After 16 years, Malaysians don’t want more excuses. They want results,” he said.
Teoh was the political aide to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, who was found dead on July 16, 2009, while in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) custody.
On July 19, Yap called for DAP to be held accountable in a statement referring to a public apology by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke to the family of the late Teoh.
As reported by Free Malaysia Today, Loke apologised on behalf of the party after treasurer Ngeh Koo Ham accused Teoh’s sister of being ungrateful despite the party’s continued support.
Yap said that words and apologies were not enough, and that DAP should do more to seek justice for Teoh.
Kong, who is the special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, responded to Yap by saying he should push GPS federal ministers to reopen the case instead of politicising the issue. — DayakDaily
