Rafizi’s move on Teoh Beng Hock case puts DAP under pressure

KUALA LUMPUR - Parti Bersama’s move to sign a pledge demanding a fresh investigation into the death of Teoh Beng Hock is an embarrassing blow to DAP, which has failed to resolve the case despite being in government.

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Pahang Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies senior lecturer Muhammad Ariff Asyrul Adnan said that while Bersama’s move could be seen as an attempt to win Chinese votes, it also casts DAP in a negative light, despite Rafizi having previously worked alongside the party.

“Beng Hock’s case is not a Pakatan Harapan (PH) issue, even though they are part of the same coalition, as PKR and Amanah do not regularly organise programmes related to it.

“Only DAP has used Beng Hock’s case to further fuel public anger, particularly among the Chinese community, towards the previous government.

“Therefore, with Bersama now taking up this issue as part of its struggle, DAP would certainly feel embarrassed, as it no longer has any excuse for failing to resolve the case, given that it is now in government and its leaders hold ministerial positions in the Madani Cabinet,” he said in a statement today.

Media reports previously stated that all 16 Parti Bersama candidates contesting in the Melaka State Election had signed a pledge demanding a fresh investigation into Beng Hock’s death, including the appointment of international criminal investigation experts.

The move comes as Beng Hock’s family continues its legal efforts to pressure the authorities to investigate his death as murder or culpable homicide.

The pledge, initiated by the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement, also calls for comprehensive reforms to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the enactment of anti-torture legislation to prevent deaths in custody. - Awani