Speech by M.Kula Segaran at the Chinese New Year gathering organized by Chui Chak Branch New Village, Langkap on Wednesday, 16^th February 2011:

Come next general election, Malaysians must rise to the occasion and go for change through the ballot boxes

Teoh Beng Hock's tragic death more than a year ago shocked the entire nation.

How could a young man who had made all the necessary preparations to marry his fiancee ended up dead after being called up by the MACC to assist as a witness in an investigation - this was the question that everyone asked.

And everyone wanted to know why.

However, after more than a year since his tragic death, there is still no answer as to how he died.

The Coroner's court could only return an open verdict.

Although a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) was finally set up to investigate into the cause of Beng Hock's death, Beng Hock's family had decided today to boycott the RCI.

The decision came as the RCI ruled against the family's request to have the hearing postponed until the disposal of a judicial review filed by the family against the coroner's 'open verdict' on Teoh's death.

Teoh family lawyer Karpal Singh had today said Teoh's family had ordered the lawyers to withdraw from the RCI as they could not accept the attorney-general's decision to pursue a revision of the inquest's open verdict, while at the same time sending three officers from his chambers as conducting officers at the RCI.

The government and the RCI ought to know that the nation has been waiting for the truth as to how Teoh Beng Hock died and any investigation must be totally fair and independent.

The RCI must also be able to command full confidence of the Teoh family and the public.

Unfortunately, the Teoh family does not have full confidence in the RCI and the only option for them is to withdraw from the proceedings.

I call on the public to support the Teoh family's decision to withdraw from the RCI proceedings.

It has been strongly speculated, a snap poll will be held in March or April this year.

Although the Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib has said that BN has changed and reformed, it is still more talk than action.

The fact that Najib talked about 'BN has changed' shows that he realized the need for change.

But has BN really changed or can it change?

The answer is big NO!

BN has not changed as its major policies have remained.

Even on the fight against corruption, the government has not shown much political will.

BN has been in power too long to be able to make significant and real changes which can bring about a better Malaysia.

Egyptians who had long suffered the dictatorial and corrupt rule of President Hosni Mubarak had recently toppled him through in just 18 days of display of people power.

The wave of change is now sweeping across the Arab nations.

Come next general election, Malaysians must rise to the occasion and go for change through the ballot boxes.

I call on the voters to demonstrate the people power through their votes and vote PR coalition to bring about a better Malaysia for all Malaysians.

* M. Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman & MP for Ipoh Barat