[07 March 2026 Press Statement by Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement 7 March 2026, Kuala Lumpur]
Stop Creating More Teoh Beng Hocks: TBH ADA Condemns MACC Intimidation of Political Aides
The Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) expresses grave concern and deep disappointment over the recent actions of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in intimidating a political aide to former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, James Chai.
The publication of a “Notice to Locate” of James Chai was entirely unnecessary. There were many available channels to reach him, including through his family members or former employers. Instead, MACC publicly exposed his childhood home, where his parents currently reside, placing his family at unnecessary risk and distress.
MACC justified this action by claiming it was unable to reach him via mobile phone. In an era where authorities have extensive investigative and intelligence capabilities, such an explanation is both unconvincing and troubling. The decision to publicly issue such a notice appears less about facilitating an investigation and more about publicly shaming, intimidating, and exerting pressure.
Political aides and technocrats should not be dragged into political struggles. They have the right to perform their duties as public officers without fear or intimidation. Have we not learned from the tragic case of Teoh Beng Hock, a public officer who became a victim of political conflict while in MACC custody? How many more Teoh Beng Hocks must be created before meaningful reform takes place?
MACC often claims that it upholds the principle that “no one is above the law” and that its investigations are conducted with professionalism, independence, and adherence to the rule of law. Yet its track record raises serious questions about these claims.
The coercive arrest of Teoh Beng Hock and his continuous interrogation for more than 10 hours until midnight ultimately led to his death in MACC custody. Such unusually intense interrogation methods were imposed on an innocent witness and public officer despite the absence of strong evidence, suggesting an attempt to extract statements that could be used as a political weapon. Where, then, were the professionalism, independence, and evidence based investigative standards that MACC claims to uphold?
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh’s death found that MACC had violated numerous rules, regulations, and operating procedures during the arrest and interrogation. The commissioners further criticised MACC officers for being arrogant, uncooperative, and operating within what they described as a blue wall of silence. These findings raise fundamental concerns about MACC’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
The autopsy on Teoh Beng Hock also revealed a bruise on his neck indicating blunt force trauma consistent with strangulation prior to his death. The Court of Appeal unanimously ruled that Teoh’s death was caused by the illegal acts of a person or persons unknown, including MACC officers. Yet to this day, no MACC officers including Hishamuddin Hashim, Anuar Ismail, Ashraf Mohd Yunus, Hairul, and Zulkifli have been held accountable. This persistent failure to deliver justice continues to erode public trust in the institution.
More recently, troubling incidents involving MACC officers have further raised concerns. These include the high-handed arrest of Albert Tei, who was allegedly held at gunpoint, as well as the mysterious kidnapping of Pamela Ling after MACC officers reportedly posed unusual questions relating to her husband. Such incidents reinforce public perception that MACC has strayed far from the professional and independent institution it claims to be.
For far too long, MACC has operated within a state protected culture of impunity, rarely being held accountable for its own misconduct or institutional failures. Public confidence in the Commission has consequently reached one of its lowest points.
Today, the institution increasingly appears to be weaponised as a political tool under the guise of protecting national interest. The notice to locate Chai is only the latest example in what many see as decades of abuse of power. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, once a symbol of Reformasi and democratic reform, now risks repeating the same draconian practices of past administrations that he once strongly criticised.
As an organisation that continues the struggle for justice for Teoh Beng Hock, a victim who died in MACC custody, TBH-ADA calls on the government to undertake the following urgent measures:
1)Immediately cease harassment of political aides. MACC must stop all acts of intimidation against James Chai and any individuals targeted through politically motivated investigations. Law enforcement agencies must never be weaponised for political persecution.
2)End the tenure of Azam Baki and establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry. An independent Royal Commission of Inquiry must be established to investigate allegations involving corporate mafia networks and examine potential links between such networks and the wealth accumulation of MACC officers.
3)Investigate past abuses and ensure accountability.
All alleged abuses, misconduct, and human rights violations involving MACC officers, including cases such as Teoh Beng Hock, Ahmad Sarbani, Pamela Ling, and Albert Tei, must be independently investigated, and those responsible must face legal consequences.
4)Implement comprehensive institutional reform of MACC.
MACC must no longer report directly to the Prime Minister. The appointment of the MACC Chief Commissioner should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny to ensure genuine independence. Section 30 of the MACC Act must also be amended to limit interrogation hours to 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and strictly prohibit overnight interrogations.
5)Guarantee the basic rights of detainees. All detainees must have access to legal representation during questioning, immediate contact with family members, and access to necessary medication, food, and humane detention conditions.
TBH-ADA stands in solidarity with all victims of intimidation and abuse of power.
Justice for Teoh Beng Hock has been delayed for more than a decade. Malaysians deserve a system where no institution and no officer stand above the law.
Until accountability is achieved, the struggle for justice will continue.
Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement
7th March 2026
[赵明福民主促进会文告，2026年3月7日于吉隆坡发出]
停止制造更多“赵明福”：赵明福民主促进会谴责反贪会恐吓政治助理
赵明福民主促进会（TBH-ADA）对马来西亚反贪污委员会（MACC）近期恐吓前经济部长拉菲兹的政治助理蔡镇燊(James Chai）的行为，表示深切关注与极度失望。
反贪会发布“寻人通告”寻找蔡镇燊完全是没有必要的。反贪会有许多渠道可以联系到他，包括通过其家属或前雇主。然而，反贪会却公开曝光其父母现居的童年旧家地址，使他的家人陷入不必要的风险与困扰中。
反贪会辩称此举是因为无法通过手机联系上他。在一个执法部门拥有广泛调查与情报能力的时代，这种解释既难以令人信服，也令人不安。公开通告的决定，与其说是为了协助调查，不如说更像是为了公开羞辱、恐吓及施压。
政治助理和技术官员不应被卷入政治斗争。他们有权在不受恐惧或恐吓的情况下履行公职。难道我们还没从赵明福的悲剧中汲取教训吗？赵明福当年作为一名公职人员，在反贪会扣留期间沦为政治冲突的牺牲品。在真正意义的改革落实之前，究竟还要制造多少个“赵明福”？
反贪会经常声称秉持“法律面前人人平等”的原则，并强调其调查工作专业、独立且遵循法治。然而，其过往记录却让这些声明备受质疑。
赵明福遭受强制逮捕，并被连续审讯超过10小时直至深夜，最终导致他在反贪会扣留期间死亡。这种异常激烈的审讯手段，竟施加于一名无辜证人和公职人员身上，且当时并无强力证据就展开调查，这显示其意图是索取可被用作政治武器的口供。那么，反贪会所宣称的专业、独立和基于证据的调查标准究竟何在？
赵明福命案皇家调查委员会（RCI）发现，反贪会在逮捕和审讯过程中违反了多项规则、条例和操作程序。委员们进一步批评反贪会官员态度傲慢、不配合调查，并处在所谓的“缄默蓝墙”（blue wall of silence）保护下。这些调查结果引发了公众对反贪会是否致力于问责制和法治的根本质疑。
赵明福的尸检报告还显示其颈部有伤痕，表明在死亡前曾遭受符合勒颈特征的钝器伤。上诉庭一致裁定，赵明福的死亡是由包括反贪会官员在内的身份不明人士的非法行为造成的。然而时至今日，包括希山慕丁·哈欣（Hishamuddin Hashim）、安努亚·依斯迈（Anuar Ismail）、阿斯拉夫（Ashraf Mohd Yunus）、海鲁（Hairul）和祖基菲里（Zulkifli）在内的反贪会官员均未被追究责任。这种持续未能伸张正义的现象，正不断侵蚀公众对该机构的信任。
近期，涉及反贪会官员的骚扰事件进一步加剧了担忧。这包括对商人刁健城的高压逮捕（据称被持枪指吓），以及林芫在反贪会官员询问其丈夫相关异常问题后的离奇绑架。这些事件强化了公众的认知，即反贪会已逐渐偏离其宣称的专业与独立。
长期以来，反贪会在国家保护的“免责文化”下运作，鲜少因其滥权或制度性失败而被追究责任。因此，公众对该委员会的信心已跌至谷底。
今天，该机构在保护国家利益的掩饰下，日益显现出沦为政治打击工具的迹象。寻找蔡镇燊的通告只是数十年来滥用权力的最新例证。首相安华曾是“烈火莫熄”和民主改革的象征，如今却实施他过去曾强烈批评的前朝政府的高压手段。
作为持续为在反贪会扣留期间死亡的受害者赵明福争取正义的组织，赵明福民主进步协会呼吁政府采取以下紧急措施：
1)立即停止骚扰政治助理 反贪会必须停止对蔡镇燊及任何受政治动机调查影响的人士进行恐吓。执法机构绝不能被武器化用于政治迫害。
2)终止阿占巴基的任期并成立皇家调查委员会 必须成立独立的皇家调查委员会，调查涉及“企业黑手党”的指控，并审查此类网络与反贪会官员财富积累之间的潜在联系
3)调查过往滥权行为并确保追责 所有涉及反贪会官员的滥权、失职和侵犯人权指控，包括赵明福、阿末沙巴尼（Ahmad Sarbani）、林芫和刁健城的案件，必须进行独立调查，相关责任人必须承担法律后果。
4)对反贪会进行全面的制度改革 反贪会不得再直接向首相汇报。反贪会首席专员的任命应受国会审查，以确保其真正的独立性。此外，必须修改《反贪会法令》第30条文，将审讯时间限制在上午9:00至下午5:00，并严禁通宵审讯
5)保障扣留者的基本权利 所有扣留者在受审期间必须获得法律援助，被允许立即联系家人，并获得必要的医疗、食物及人道的扣留条件。
赵明福民主进步协会与所有恐吓与滥权行为的受害者站在一起。
赵明福的正义已被拖延了十多年。马来西亚人民值得拥有一个没有任何机构和官员可以凌驾于法律之上的制度。
在问责制实现之前，正义之斗争永不停止。
赵明福民主促进会
2026年3月7日