Media statement by Loke Siew Fook in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, 27^th June 2012:

Teoh Beng Hock's death demonstrates the despicable political culture of BN

Nearly three years have passed since political aide Teoh Beng Hock was found death on the fifth floor of the MACC Selangor headquarters in Shah Alam. There has still been no justice for the Teoh family, even after conducting an inquest and Royal Commission for Inquiry (RCI). The answers given by the RCI to the Teoh family and the Malaysian public is not the real truth and justice, but a ridiculous conclusion of "forced suicide", which has made Malaysia an international laughing stock.

Even more ridiculous is the fact that the Attorney General's Chambers cleared the three senior MACC officers named in the RCI report of responsibility. They do not need to bear any responsibility even though the RCI report clearly singled out "Arman the bully, Ashraf the abuser and HH the arrogant leader" as guilty of excessive use of violence on Beng Hock. Is that justice for the Teoh family?

The Prime Minister's Department's written answer in reply to the MP for Serdang clearly shows that the MACC is an incompetent institution that failed to achieve its original objective, despite the increase of budget, resources, and staff as compared to its predecessor the Anti-Corruption Agency. Not only did MACC fail to fight corruption, but it has been reduced to a political tool of BN, used in combat against BN's political rivals.

The death of Teoh Beng Hock demonstrates the despicable political culture of BN and exposes their true colors of scorning democratic principles.

Notably, Ahmad Sarbani who went to MACC office as a witness was found dead on the ground floor of its office in KL in 2011, the second case after the "elevation" of the former Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) into Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). This is irrefutable proof that our anti-corruption institutions need total and complete review and reform. Without reform, more unfortunate cases like Beng Hock and Sarbaini will repeat.

In less than three weeks, it will be the 3rd anniversary of Teoh Beng Hock's unusual death. Beng Hock's life may have reached a tragic premature end, but the quest for justice has not ceased. We are conducting a documentary screening, theater show and a forum on transitional justice to continue the fight for justice. We will not stop reminding the world of these untimely deaths until the real truth is revealed and full justice is given to the victims and their families.

* Loke Siew Fook, DAPSY Chief & MP for Rasah