To: All News Editors
Press Statement by the Family of Teoh Beng Hock
Issued in Kuala Lumpur on 22 May 2025
Are We Still Living in the Barisan Nasional Era?
After receiving a letter from the Criminal Investigation Department stating that the police have decided to take no further action (NFA) in the reopened investigation into Teoh Beng Hock’s case, I feel as though we are still trapped in the era of Barisan Nasional’s rule.
The same Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) remains unaccountable. The same police force refuses to investigate the MACC. The same opaque conclusions are drawn. The same murderers walk free.
On August 1, 2024, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged the Teoh family to trust the “new police force”and the “new system” under his government. But what has this so-called new system given the Teoh family? Only continued disappointment.
- The new system still harasses the Teoh family under the guise of recording statements.
- The new system still shields MACC officers responsible for Beng Hock’s death.
- The new system still allows lawbreakers to evade justice.
- The new system still covers up the corruption, abuse of power, human rights violations, and injustices of the Barisan Nasional era.
The Teoh family demands an answer from Prime Minister Anwar: Does this country operate under two sets of laws and standards—one for the powerful and another for ordinary citizens? When a powerful figure is detained and assaulted (even suffering a black eye), the perpetrators are punished. But when an ordinary citizen dies in custody after interrogation, the culprits are rewarded with promotions and wealth over 16 years.
If Malaysia Madani (Prosperous Malaysia) means perpetuating a system of darkness and oppression, what is the point of political change? Was the vision of reform that Teoh Beng Hock once dreamed of, and the promises of justice the Teoh family believed in, merely pawns in the game of seizing power?
During the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration’s first term in June 2018, the Cabinet agreed to reopen investigations into Teoh Beng Hock’s case. Similarly, during the meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on August 1, 2024, the same promises were reiterated to our family. Prime Minister Anwar pledged the following:
1. Reopen investigation papers, Investigation Based on the 2014 Court of Appeal Ruling.
The police would conduct the investigation in accordance with the Court of Appeal’s landmark judgment on September 5, 2014, which concluded that Beng Hock’s death was caused by unlawful acts by one or more unidentified individuals, including Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers. This includes invoking Section 302 (murder) of the Penal Code as the foundation for the probe.
2. Request for international renowned criminal investigators.
The family urged the Anwar administration to engage internationally renowned criminal investigators to assist local authorities. However, the Prime Minister deferred this proposal, stating it required further discussion with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). To date, no progress has been made on this matter.
3. Transparency and Accountability in the Investigation.
The Prime Minister assured that if the family was dissatisfied with the police’s investigation direction or findings, we could request another meeting through our representative lawyer, Mr. Ramkapal to ensure alignment with the government’s commitments and prevent further delays.
4. Timely Resolution Within 1–2 Years
Anwar guaranteed that the investigation would not drag on indefinitely and promised a conclusive outcome within one to two years to deliver justice for Beng Hock’s family and the Malaysian public.
Current Status and Grievances
Since 2018, authorities have repeatedly misapplied Section 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Penal Code to investigate Beng Hock’s death, contrary to the Court of Appeal’s directive. Key MACC officers involved in interrogating Beng Hock have refused to cooperate, and no arrests have been made. The police prematurely closed the case with a “no further action” conclusion, leaving the family in anguish and frustration.
Appeal to Prime Minister Anwar
We urge the Prime Minister to honor his promises. The people of Malaysia placed their hopes in the PH-led unity government for institutional reform and accountability. Beng Hock’s elderly parents, Mr. Teoh Leong Hwee and Madam Teng Shuw Hoi, cannot endure endless delays. It is time to fulfill the pledge of a New Malaysia and ensure justice prevails.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Yours faithfully,
Teoh Lee Lan
Younger Sister of the Late Teoh Beng Hock
致各报采访主任，
我们还活在国阵年代吗？
收到警察刑事调查部门的信，指赵明福案件重启调查后，警察已决定对此案采取“无进一步行动”（no further action）结论，我以为我仍活在国阵统治的年代。
一样免责的反贪会，一样拒查反贪会的警察，一样不透明化的调查结论，一样的凶手逍遥法外。
2024年8月1日，安华请赵家相信新警队，相信新政府的新体制，请问所谓的新体制给了赵家什么？失望依旧是失望。
新体制依然以录口供的名义不断骚扰赵家，
新体制依然包庇犯错致死明福的反贪会官员，新体制依然允许违法者超越法律不受对付，新体制依然掩盖国阵年代的腐败、滥权、侵犯人权和不公不义事件。
赵家希望首相安华回答，这个国家是否有两套法律和两套标准，一套适用于权贵，一套适用于平民？权贵被扣留和被打黑眼圈，凶手最终被惩罚；老百姓被扣留盘问后死亡，凶手十六年不断升官发财。
如果昌明大马的意思是延续黑暗和压迫的体制，政党轮替的意义何在？赵明福曾经憧憬的美好新政，赵家曾经相信的承诺与翻案，是否都是夺权路上的一颗棋子？
在2018年6月21日希盟第一次执政，希盟内阁同意展开调查的内部会议中以及2024年8月1日会见安华首相时，无论是时任首相马哈迪和当时的内阁或安华首相都给予赵家同样的承诺。 安华首相许诺：
1.警方会依法根据2014年9月5日上诉庭判决和谕令来展开调查当中包括引用刑事法典302谋杀条纹为基础进行调查。
2.针对赵家诉求，希望安华政府聘请国际知名专业刑事调查官前来支援警方却以需要跟总警长商议此建议为由而没有下文。
3.若赵家不满警方的调查方向和报告，可以通过代表律师安排再次会面，以确保调查方向和结果是准确并依据政府的承诺和期待所进行，避免再次拖延时间，案件才能水落石出。
4.明福父母无需无限期等待一个交代。安华首相保证明福冤案的完整调查将在一两年内完成，势必会给赵家和全国人民一个交代。
基于警方在2018年起至今都错误引用刑事法典342非法囚禁来启动赵明福被杀案的调查，涉案的一些反贪会官员也拒绝配合警方，警方没进行逮捕，警方再次了草结案并以没有进一步调查（no further action) 作为交代。 赵家对这结果感到不满、悲愤，我们希望安华首相兑现诺言，一国之首一诺千金，别辜负了马来西亚人对改朝换代，政党轮替，新马来西亚的抱负和期望。
已故赵明福胞妹赵丽兰笔