Media Statement by Loke Siew Fook in Petaling Jaya on Saturday, 26^th December 2009:

The Police should spend their time and efforts in combating crime on the streets and solve the Teoh Beng Hock’s case instead of finding faults of Pakatan Rakyat leaders

DAPSY slams the overzealous action by the Selangor police in launching a sedition investigation against DAP Secretary General and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng over his remarks on the Teoh Beng Hock’s case. The Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar has alleged that Guan Eng’s remark at the Pakatan National Convention last Saturday was inciting the public to believe that Teoh Beng Hock has been murdered.

What Guan Eng has stated was merely to reinforce the DAP’s commitment to find the truth on Teoh’s death and to ensure justice will prevail. This is a high profile case that shocked the nation and Malaysians want nothing but the truth. As a national leader, Guan Eng was discharging his responsibility in speaking up the aspiration of the people. What was seditious about that statement?

By lodging a police report themselves against Guan Eng, the Selangor police have given the impression that they are not so interested in solving the Teoh Beng Hock’s case compared with finding faults with Pakatan Rakyat leaders. Are they upholding public interest or serving the political interest of Barisan Nasional?

The facts remained that Teoh Beng Hock had died in the custody of MACC and within the compound of MACC building. Although 6 months had passed, the death of the late Beng Hock remains unsolved.

DAPSY calls on the Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to immediately order the Selangor police chief to withdraw the report against Guan Eng and focus on the fundamental of the issue that is to bring the parties responsible for Beng Hock’s death to justice.

Malaysians want our police force to spend their time and efforts in combating crime on the streets and not going against Pakatan Rakyat leaders. If there is a recent issue that they should be worry about, it has to be the high profile theft of the fighter jet engine of the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The case has not only damaged the reputation of Malaysia in the eyes of the international community but threaten the security of our country at the core. Guan Eng’s statement did not in any way raise the security alarm of the country.

* Loke Siew Fook, DAP Socialist Youth Chief & MP for Rasah