THE Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement today said it was extremely disappointed over the collective silence of the DAP leadership over the investigation results of Teoh Beng Hock’s case.
In 2009, when Teoh’s tragic death occurred, DAP leaders and activists condemned the Barisan Nasional government for causing his death, organising memorials nationwide in his honour.
The current Minister of Transport and DAP Secretary-General, Loke Siew Fook, was then the chief of DAP Socialist Youth, responsible for coordinating nationwide memorial events for Teoh.
“For more than a decade, DAP has relentlessly criticised the inconclusive ruling of the coroner’s court.
“This includes the inefficiency of police investigations, the claim by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) lawyers that Teoh strangled himself, and the Royal Commission’s conclusion that Teoh was forced into suicide.
“During election talks, public memorials, and press conferences, DAP consistently pledged that once in power at the federal level, they would deliver justice for Teoh,” said TBH-ADA chairman Ng Yap Hwa
He said senior DAP leaders such as Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Gobind Singh Deo, and Teo Nie Ching had previously called for justice in Teoh’s case, yet none have spoken out now.
In the past, he pointed out that the DAP continuously criticised the BN government for corruption, inefficiency, and non-transparency, stressing the importance of integrity and transparency principles.
“Upon taking power in Penang, DAP even introduced the slogan "Competency, Accountability, and Transparency (CAT)." “We urge DAP to break its silence and uphold the accountability and transparency principles it has championed for years by publicly explaining its political stance on the investigation results of Teoh’s case to his family,” he said.
Ng said that as one of the largest parties in Parliament, DAP must clarify whether they support the stance of the police and the AG’s Office.
“TBH-ADA believes that DAP leaders should not hide behind the excuse of cabinet collective responsibility without acting.
“Politics is the art of possibility, and DAP can leverage its strength as the largest party in the ruling coalition to push for criminal enforcement agencies to uncover the truth and bring justice to Teoh,” added Ng.
When cabinet ministers strongly oppose government policies, they can resign as a form of protest.
For example, Ng said former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Legal Affairs, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, once resigned in 2008 to protest the use of the Internal Security Act to detain Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, and Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng.
“If a BN Minister could resign over the persecution against a DAP MP, there is no reason the current five DAP Ministers should refuse to resign over the administration's failure to uncover truth and justice for Teoh.
“We urge the five DAP cabinet ministers—Loke, Gobind, Nga Kor Ming, Steven Sim and Hannah Yeoh — to collectively resign from their ministerial positions to protest the investigation results of Teoh’s case.
“They should take full political responsibility on behalf of DAP for failing to fulfil the party’s past promises regarding Teoh’s case.
“This would be the best demonstration of DAP’s commitment to accountability,” added Ng. – May 25, 2025
