KUALA LUMPUR – The public apology extended by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to Teoh Beng Hock’s family yesterday was long overdue, said DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
“This is the first public apology extended by the MACC to the Teoh family in the past 16 years, reflecting the sincerity of the Madani government.
“This also shows transitional justice is demonstrated when state institutions acknowledge and reflect upon the harm they have caused in the past,” he said in a press conference at the party’s headquarters here today.
Loke noted that the MACC has also offered a goodwill contribution to the family to support the welfare and educational needs of Teoh’s son, who is now 15 years old.
“The government is prepared to fully entrust the management of the funds to Soh Cher Wei, Teoh’s widow. In the interest of safeguarding the child’s future, we sincerely hope that the Teoh family will consider accepting the contribution.
“Importantly, this support comes with no conditions. The Teoh family remains entirely free to exercise their right to speak out, including continuing to pursue justice for Teoh through any form of public advocacy,” said Loke, who is also the Transport Minister.
He also said the goodwill contribution is not meant to suggest closure or imply that the family is expected to be satisfied, as the contribution is a form of aid by the government to Teoh’s son.
The Teoh family had earlier rejected the government’s offer.
Loke also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to supporting the Teoh family through legal avenues, adding that DAP would remain steadfast in its pursuit of justice should any new evidence emerge in the future.
He said Selangor DAP will organise a memorial event on July 27 to honour Teoh.
Yesterday, MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki offered an apology to the family of Teoh, who was found dead on the rooftop of a building adjacent to the anti-graft body’s Selangor office in Shah Alam.
Azam said the commission had drawn lessons from the tragic death of Teoh 16 years ago and remains firmly committed to addressing past failings and restoring public trust.
Teoh, who served as political secretary to then Seri Kembangan state assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, 2009 at Plaza Masalam, after giving a statement at the MACC office on the 14th floor of the building.