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DAP’s commitment to pursuing justice for the late Teoh Beng Hock has never wavered over the past 16 years, whether as part of the opposition or in government, said party secretary-general Anthony Loke.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Loke stressed that the party’s position had remained grounded in legal principles and unwavering support for Teoh’s family.
“Our stand has never changed. Whether in opposition or in government, we have always called for the truth in accordance with the rule of law,” he said.
Loke also extended the party’s condolences to the family, noting that despite various investigations, the outcome had yet to meet their expectations.
“As investigations remain incomplete and the outcome continues to fall short of the Beng Hock family’s hopes, DAP extends its deepest condolences and highest respect for their irreplaceable loss,” he said.
The renewed spotlight on the case follows remarks by former DAP leader Ronnie Liu, who warned the party risks losing its base if those responsible for Teoh’s death are not held accountable.
Teoh, a 30-year-old political aide to then Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on 16 July 2009 on the fifth-floor corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, following overnight interrogation at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (SPRM) office on the 14th floor of the same building.
On Wednesday, SPRM chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki issued a formal apology and expressed sympathy to Teoh’s family in conjunction with the 16th anniversary of his death.
Azam’s statement, however, was swiftly rejected by the family and the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA), who dismissed the apology as “insincere” and a “publicity stunt”.
They criticised Azam for issuing a “personal apology” while continuing to deny that any SPRM officers were involved in Teoh’s death.
Responding to the rejection, Loke said it was the first public apology issued by the commission in 16 years, and reflected the Madani Government’s sincerity.
“This also marks a form of transitional justice when a government institution acknowledges and reflects on the harm caused in the past,” he said.
Loke reiterated that the government’s financial contribution to Teoh’s widow and son was unconditional, and that the family remained free to continue voicing their demands for justice.
The Court of Appeal in 2014 ruled that Teoh’s death was the result of actions by one or more unknown persons while in SPRM custody.
In May, then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed the case had been classified as “No Further Action” (NFA) after the Attorney General’s Chambers reviewed the investigation papers. - July 17, 2025