MACC sorry over Beng Hock's death

The Star

17-07-2025

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has apologised to the family of Teoh Beng Hock and is prepared to provide a goodwill contribution to the family.
Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that the MACC has acknowledged the findings from various investigations carried out over the past 16 years regarding the death of Beng Hock, who was last seen entering the Selangor MACC office in Shah Alam.
These include the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) in 2011, the Court of Appeal's decision in 2014 and the most recent investigation by the police, which was classified as No Further Action ( A) by the Attorney General's Chambers, Azam said.
'Although the latest investigation did not uncover sufficient evidence to charge any individual under the law, the MACC views with utmost seriousness the fact that the late Teoh Beng Hock was found deceased in the MACC Selangor premises on July 16 2009,' Azam said in a statement.
'This tragic incident has had a profound impact not only on the deceased's family but also on all MACC personnel and the nation as a whole.
'Nevertheless, as a gesture of compassion, the MACC is prepared to provide a goodwill contribution to the late Teoh's family for the purpose of supporting the welfare and educational needs of his child,' he said.
He added that reforms have been implemented to protect the welfare of individuals who are being investigated by the MACC.
These include using Video Interviewing Rooms (VIR) to record statements, upgrading and adding CCTV systems with added emphasis on strategic placement and the use of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) during questioning.
'In light of this, I, as the Chief Commissioner of the MACC, wish to express my deepest sympathies and extend an apology to the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock for the pain and suffering they have endured over the years.'
In a response later in the day, Beng Hock's sister Lee Lan said that the family viewed the apology as a farce because no action has been taken on the officers who were allegedly involved.
'The family feels slighted over the insincerity of the apology by the MACC. They said that they are apologising because they see our pain but they are not surrendering the five officers that we believed were involved.
'This apology is not sincere because there was no further action taken against them. Their offer to donate is also a shameful one to us because we do not want money, we want the truth,' she said in press conference.
'Who killed Beng Hock and who will be held responsible?'
Beng Hock was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, the morning after he was questioned overnight at the Selangor MACC's office which was on the 14th floor of the same building.
A 2014 Court of Appeal verdict ruled that Beng Hock's death was the results of actions of 'one or more unknown persons'.