Civil society groups plan nationwide forums to protest Teoh Beng Hock NFA
PETALING JAYA : A coalition of civil society groups will kick off a series of nationwide forums to protest the police's decision to classify the death of Teoh Beng Hock as requiring no further action (NFA).
The campaign, led by the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA), aims to rally public pressure on the government to address long-standing concerns over the former political aide's death in 2009.
'We sincerely urge all justice-loving citizens, civil society and political activists to attend the forums.
'Let us resist forgetting, rekindle memory, and call back justice together,' the group said in a statement after announcing the forums at a press conference today.
TBH-ADA said the campaign is anchored on three key demands – an independent international investigation into Teoh's death, prosecution of those responsible under murder or culpable homicide laws, and urgent institutional reforms to prevent future custodial deaths.
The first forum will be held in Penang on June 22, followed by another in Melaka on July 11. More forums are in the pipeline.
The group said the Teoh family remains steadfast in demanding accountability and will not let the matter fade from public memory.
'Forgetting is democracy's greatest enemy. It allows deaths to be normalised and broken promises to be forgiven.
'Redressing Beng Hock's death is not just justice for one family. Teoh Beng Hock has become a symbol of custodial death in detention centres,' it said.
Earlier this month, the Attorney-General's Chambers said it found insufficient evidence to bring charges following a fresh investigation by police into Teoh's death, thus maintaining its NFA classification.
The re-investigation had been ordered by the Kuala Lumpur High Court in November last year, which directed police to re-examine all aspects of the case.
Teoh was found dead on July 16, 2009 after falling from the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, Selangor, after being questioned for several hours by officers at the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters.
An inquest into his death initially returned an open verdict. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled that the death was caused by 'one or more unknown persons', including MACC officers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
19 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Thanks to social media, enforcement agencies have turned raids, inspections into entertainment — but, is this right?
Malaysian enforcement agencies are gaining millions of views on social media by turning raids and roadblocks into viral videos that mix public outreach with entertainment. While the clips attract followers and highlight official duties, experts warn they risk ethical issues, including privacy breaches and undermining judicial fairness. Critics argue the trend may reinforce harmful policing narratives, distort public perception through social media algorithms, and discourage vulnerable groups from seeking help. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Malaysia's enforcement agencies are racking up millions of views on social media such as TikTok and Instagram, transforming serious operations like raids and roadblocks into viral content. This strategy has helped them garner massive amounts of followers. The Domestic Trade Ministry's (KPDN) Melaka division account, for one, has nearly a million followers on TikTok. Another, the Pahang contingent of the Road and Transport Department (JPJ), has over 600,000 followers and 10 million likes there. 'I find these videos entertaining. Sometimes I would just scroll one video after another. It's like reality TV, just more serious,' admitted a follower of Melaka KPDN's account, who preferred not to be named. Many of these videos share near-identical formats. Often, officers are recorded approaching those who they think have violated laws. The KPDN account, for example, would have videos of enforcement officers inspecting business premises, and then telling them they have committed offences under certain Acts. Meanwhile for JPJ, officers would be shown conducting roadblocks and vehicle inspections. However, the videos that get the most engagements, be it likes or comments, usually involve officers lecturing offenders after explaining what their offences are. While many agree these videos have entertainment value, several followers that Malay Mail interviewed could not quite explain why they are drawn to them. @kpdnmelaka Bila buat salah, anak pelanggan pulak dijadikan punca. Min nak pesan, jangan ambil kesempatan dengan tanda harga. Besar kesannya pada pengguna. original sound - KPDN Melaka - KPDN Melaka A follower of Melaka KPDN's account suggested the clips, particularly, gave her a sense of satisfaction to see undocumented migrants apprehended. 'Immigrants by right cannot do business here, but I still see them manning stalls and shops everywhere. So when KPDN officers raid their premises I think I see justice being done,' said user Farah from Jasin. A follower of Pahang JPJ's TikTok account, who only wanted to be known as Rip, said he has mixed feelings about these videos. On one end, he feels sympathy for people on the receiving end of enforcement. But on the other hand, he said he finds comfort in knowing the authorities are doing their job at a time when deadly road accidents are rising. 'When they record roadblocks, it's kind of humiliating for those who are being accused of traffic violations. They might have reasons for whatever they did, but their side of the story isn't captured on the video,' he said. Why do enforcers feel like they need to show their jobs? Amira Firdaus, who heads the Department of Media and Communication Studies at Universiti Malaya, in trying to explain the trend, described it as 'performative visibility'. She said enforcement officers are feeling pressured to prove they're on the job, in an age where public criticism of them is amplified by social media. But this need to be seen also raises ethical conundrums: at what point does public outreach cross the line into privacy breaches, ethical dilemmas, and a compromise of professional conduct, the lecturer said. 'It helps them to show that they are 'taking action'. This 'performative visibility' helps them to show the public [and their bosses or ministries] that they're 'performing their duties' so to speak,' she told Malay Mail. 'But where I think it gets complicated is the human cost. Usually, the ops involve individuals who [despite their seeming illegal activity] might actually be quite vulnerable. For example, victims of scams or trafficking, even someone innocent who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.' The videos can also be damaging for policy reforms that are meant to save lives, said Jia Vern Tham, researcher at Hayat, a civil society organisation working with death row inmate families. She cited the viral videos of raids by the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK). 'The TikTok videos portraying late-night raids and forced urine testing reinforce the same punitive image of drug enforcement that AADK claims to have moved away from,' Tham said. 'Evidence from Portugal as early as the 80s shows that aggressive policing does not reduce drug use. Making TikTok videos out of arrest operations discourages people from seeking help, especially among marginalised communities already fearful of stigma and surveillance.' Screengrab of a raid by religious enforcers who broke into a house under the guise of preventing vice. — Screegrabs from TikTok Are these clips even legal? Some lawyers have voiced concerns about the trend's effect on the judicial procedures, highlighting the ambiguous protocol in dealing with what is essentially evidence. While recording the act of enforcement may reinforce transparency and accountability, especially when there are already plans to install body cameras on enforcement officers, posting the recorded clips on social media could temper with the justice process. 'It tempers with the principle of innocent until proven guilty,' said Farez Jinnah, a lawyer and Bar Council committee member. 'The videos could suggest that those being inspected or questioned are already guilty. We understand that enforcement agencies may use the clips as evidence, and they have the right to, but posting them on social media deviates from the purpose of evidence collection,' he added. 'But right now, the law is unclear about whether or not the act of posting this evidence on social media is illegal. This is something that needs to be addressed.' In addition, well-meaning content can easily morph into something harmful as social media platforms like TikTok as powered by algorithms usually designed to amplify drama, warned Mediha Mahmood, the chief executive of watchdog Communications and Multimedia Content Forum. 'When content is posted online, it often takes on a life of its own. Even well-meaning, factual recordings can be clipped, edited, or reshared in ways that strip away context and sensationalise the moment. 'Like it or not, social media platforms often favour what's dramatic or emotionally charged, and such content usually gets more engagement and views than the original,' Mediha told Malay Mail. She gave the example of an enforcement agency who posted a clip that is factual and responsible, but ended up going viral after dramatic edits by other users. 'Often things go viral not for what they represent, but for how they're perceived, and that perception is often shaped by algorithms, commentary, and the entertainment value the internet assigns to conflict,' she suggested. When asked how to explain the videos' popularity, Mediha said she believes the trend appeals to a kind of voyeurs. 'Raids, inspections, et cetera are normally done without publicity, so these enforcement footages give us a 'behind-the-scenes' kind of satisfaction,' said Mediha, 'Also, people like drama. The whole 'justice is served' plot where someone is caught doing something wrong appeals to some people's sense of voyeurism.'
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Thailand suggests Malaysia host key border security meeting with Cambodia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet (left) and Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai after Monday's meeting in Putrajaya. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Thailand has proposed Malaysia as the neutral venue for the upcoming general border committee (GBC) meeting with Cambodia. Thailand's defence ministry spokesman Surasan Kongsiri said the proposal was in line with the standard international practice of not holding meetings between disputing parties on the territory of one of the nations involved in the conflict, Bernama reported. 'The GBC meeting provides an opportunity to jointly explore a way forward in de-escalating tensions and resolving border and security issues, reflecting our shared commitment to peace, stability, mutual respect, and good neighbourliness,' he said in a statement issued in Bangkok. Surasan said given the sensitive nature of the situation in both countries, it would be more appropriate to hold the meeting at a neutral venue, such as Malaysia. 'While it is acknowledged that, under normal circumstances, bilateral meetings are held on a rotational basis – and that Thailand most recently served as host – this upcoming session is of an extraordinary nature. 'I therefore believe it would be appropriate to convene the meeting at a neutral location,' he said. Thailand's acting defence minister Natthapon Nakpanich is slated to attend the GBC meeting, which Cambodia has proposed to host on Aug 4. Surasan said sufficient time should be given for comprehensive discussions and suggested that the meeting be held from Aug 4 to 7. On Monday, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire following deadly clashes along their border. The agreement was reached at a meeting attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet, and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai. More than 35 people have been killed and over 270,000 displaced in both countries since the latest round of hostilities erupted on July 24.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Dr M's call for snap polls illogical and irresponsible, says DAP MP
DAP MP Syahredzan Johan (left) said Dr Mahathir Mohamad's time had passed and the former prime minister must now allow others to lead the country. PETALING JAYA : Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan has dismissed former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call for a snap election as 'illogical', saying the public wants political stability, not another election. In a statement, Syahredzan said such a demand is irresponsible, especially at a time when Malaysia and the rest of the world are facing turbulent conditions, from global trade wars to military conflicts. 'The majority of Malaysians do not want an election right now. They want a stable government,' he said. He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had just tabled the 13th Malaysia Plan amid global uncertainties, including impending US tariff decisions and ongoing regional conflicts, such as the border tension between Thailand and Cambodia which continued to loom large. 'Malaysia is not exempt from these global headwinds. What we need now is a steady government, helmed by a leader who can steer the country through these storms,' Syahredzan said. Earlier today, Mahathir urged Anwar to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for a general election. 'If Anwar is truly brave, he should just dissolve Parliament and call for a general election now. He has nothing to fear – after all, his allies claim only 15,000 people attended the rally. Surely, he will win,' he said in a Facebook post. Mahathir was referring to the Turun Anwar rally last Saturday, which was held to call for Anwar's resignation. About 18,000 people took part in the rally, according to police, although the organisers, PAS Youth, claimed that more than 200,000 participants were present. Syahredzan urged Mahathir to respect the country's democratic process and the timeline of the current Parliament. 'Elections will come when the time is right. But that time is not now. The parliamentary term hasn't even reached its maturity. 'To Mahathir, please – your time has passed. We still respect you, but now is the time for others to lead the country,' he added. He warned that the future of the people and the next generation should not be gambled away to serve the ego and self-interests of a few politicians.
