Who We Are
The Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) is a Malaysian civil society organisation working for truth, justice and accountability in the death of Teoh Beng Hock.
Our work also addresses the wider problems of political persecution, torture and deaths in custody. We support affected families, advocate for legal and institutional reform, and promote human rights education and active citizenship.
TBH-ADA grew out of a nationwide movement established following Beng Hock’s death in 2009.
The Death of Teoh Beng Hock
Teoh Beng Hock was born in Melaka in 1979. After graduating from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, he worked as a journalist at Sin Chew Daily.
Following Malaysia’s 2008 general election, Beng Hock became the political aide to Ean Yong Hian Wah, a member of the Selangor State Executive Council.
On 15 July 2009, Beng Hock was brought to the Selangor headquarters of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam. The MACC said that he was being questioned as a witness in an investigation involving constituency funds administered by his employer.
Beng Hock was questioned overnight without access to a lawyer. His colleagues were also prevented from delivering food and drinks to him.
On 16 July 2009, Beng Hock was found dead on a fifth-floor landing at Plaza Masalam. He was 30 years old and was due to register his marriage the following day.
His death shocked the country and prompted nationwide demands for truth, justice and accountability. His family and supporters have continued their pursuit of justice ever since.
Malaysians for Beng Hock
Memorial events were held across Malaysia following Beng Hock’s death.
At the first-anniversary memorial in July 2010, Beng Hock’s younger sister, Teoh Lee Lan, called on members of the public to provide concrete support to the family’s pursuit of justice.
In response, the Civil Rights Committee of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall established the Malaysians for Beng Hock movement with the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Youth, LLG Cultural Development Centre, Suara Rakyat Malaysia, Amnesty International Malaysia and other civil society organisations.
The movement mobilised members of the public to attend the inquest in solidarity with the Teoh family. It also launched a nationwide petition that collected approximately 100,000 signatures.
Working with civil society organisations and political parties across Malaysia, Malaysians for Beng Hock organised public forums, exhibitions and advocacy activities to raise awareness about Beng Hock’s death and the wider problem of deaths in custody.
From a Movement to a Permanent Organisation
In October 2013, the movement established the Democracy Academy of Malaysia as its human rights education initiative.
The academy was founded on the belief that democracy and human rights education can empower people to participate in public life, defend the rights of others and hold public institutions accountable.
In 2014, the leadership of Malaysians for Beng Hock decided to establish a permanent organisation to sustain the campaign for justice and expand its work on political persecution, torture and deaths in custody.
The organisation was initially known as the Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy.
Its work focused on:
- campaigning for truth and accountability in Beng Hock’s case;
- advocating against torture and deaths in custody;
- supporting victims and their families;
- promoting democracy and human rights education; and
- encouraging active citizenship and public participation.
A support fund was also established to help families affected by deaths in custody meet expenses related to legal proceedings and advocacy, including travel, accommodation and meals.
Among the families supported was the family of Kamarulnizam Ismail, who had to travel from Penang to Ipoh in pursuit of justice.
Becoming TBH-ADA
In 2023, the organisation adopted its current public name, the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement.
The name reflects our broader commitment to democracy, human rights, institutional accountability and the prevention of torture and deaths in custody, while preserving Beng Hock’s legacy at the heart of our work.
Our Mission
- To recognise and defend the democratic rights of individuals/groups as enshrined under the Federal Constitution without fear of political persecution, torture or death in custody;
- To recognise, uphold and defend the human rights of individuals/groups in the custody of all State authorities as prescribed by international conventions.
Purposes
- Educate the public about the tragic death of the late Mr Teoh Beng Hock in the context of political persecution, torture and deaths in custody;
- Advocate for legal, policy and institutional reforms to eliminate political persecution, torture and deaths in custody;
- Advocate full and frank disclosure of all facts and undertake fact-finding relating to incidents of political persecution, torture and deaths in custody;
- Provide legal, social, counselling and other support, wherever possible, for the victims and the family of victims of political persecution, torture and deaths in custody;
- Advocate for a truth and reconciliation process for all cases of political persecution, torture and deaths in custody;
- Facilitate and assist the family of victims of political persecution, torture and deaths in custody in seeking redresses from the State;
- Carry out any other activities in line with the missions and principles stated in Clause 2 and 3 herein.
Legal Status
Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) operates under the registered name Persatuan Perkembangan Demokrasi Malaysia, formerly known as Persatuan Pendidikan Demokrasi Malaysia. The organisation is registered with the Registrar of Societies Malaysia under section 7 of the Societies Act 1966.
Registration number: PPM-010-10-19012015
Organisation Structure and Leadership
Honorary Advisers
Abdul Samad Mohamed Said, Toh Kin Woon, Ng Geok Chee, Lim Lip Eng, Ahmad Farouk
Legal Adviser
Steve Chew
2025–2027 Committee
Koong Hui Yein (Chairperson), Tong Wai Yee (Deputy Chairperson), Wong Yew Lee (Secretary), Teoh Lee Lan (Assistant Secretary), Eric Tsang Zhi Hao (Treasurer), Lee Chung Lun (Member), Phung Yie Wen (Member)
Previous Committees
2023–2025 Committee
Ng Yap Hwa (Chairperson), Kenneth Cheng (Deputy Chairperson), Wong Siew Yun (Secretary), Teoh Lee Lan (Vice Secretary), Koong Hui Yein (Treasurer), Koo Kai Soon (Member), Jacky Tan (Member), Phung Yie Wen (Member), Elroi Yee (Member)
2020–2023 Committee
Ng Yap Hwa (Chairperson), Teoh Lee Lan (Deputy Chairperson), Lee Suk Pei (Secretary), Wong Siew Yun (Vice Secretary), Koo Kai Soon (Treasurer), Liau Kok Fah (Member), Ng Seow Chen (Member)
2018–2020 Committee
Ng Geok Chee (Chairperson), Toh Kin Woon (Deputy Chairperson), Ngeow Chow Ying (Secretary), Teoh Lee Lan (Vice Secretary), Koo Kai Soon (Treasurer), Liau Kok Fah (Member), Wong Siew Yun (Member)
2016–2018 Committee
Abdul Samad Mohamed Said (Chairperson), Ng Geok Chee (Deputy Chairperson), Ngeow Chow Ying (Secretary), Wong Siew Yun (Vice Secretary), Teoh Lee Lan (Treasurer), A. Jayanath (Member), Liau Kok Fah (Member)
2014–2016 Committee
Abdul Samad Mohamed Said (Chairperson), Ng Geok Chee (Deputy Chairperson), Faisal Mustafa (Secretary), Wong Siew Yun (Vice Secretary), Teoh Lee Lan (Treasurer), A. Jayanath (Member), Wong Chin Huat (Member)