Monday, July 20, 2009

Lessons from Teoh's death

The death of Teoh marks the need for Malaysia to reform - not just in terms of transparency, integrity and accountability.

It is high time Malaysians look far and beyond these crafty words often used by politicians to gain political mileage, fame and news.

The Barisan Nasional Federal Government should of course double their efforts in promoting forensic science and improve the forensic labs as well as criminal investigative units in PDRM.

I am very surprised why so many among the Opposition who immediately linked Barisan Nasional to Teoh's death and the MACC.

The system is clear in Malaysia that the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission are independent bodies that come under the Royal patronage of DYMM Yang Dipertuan Agong Malaysia.

Why link Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and the Barisan Nasional Government to these independent bodies ?

Malaysia must move beyond childish tactics like these and stop believing the puppeteers of the Opposition.

An independent inquiry led by the Police, a Royal Commission or perhaps a Parliamentary Select Inquiry which consist of Members of Parliament and Senators should be in place to look into Teoh's case.

Whatever it is, the suspiciously well organized political moves by the Opposition leaders that instantaneously link Barisan Nasional and MACC officers to the death of Teoh have delivered the result of any possible inquiry.

Anything less than a "MACC = murderer" or "Barisan Nasional - blood in your hands" will be deemed unacceptable by the people. The politicians have successfully led the people to deliver the "results" of any future inquiry into the matter.

Sadly, this is Malaysia today and it will be the Malaysia for years to come where the legislative arm is no longer needed but public Court of opinions and judgement are the rule of law today.

There are countless blogs and news online that seem to "direct" Barisan Nasional to take full responsibility over the case of Teoh's unfortunate death.

Taking up the case personally by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will only blur the lines of independence between the two law enforcement units and the Malaysian Government.

Just two weeks ago, YB Wee Choo Keong mentioned about an open secret where a Selangor EXCO misused his/her office for underground business activities.

These were heavily retorted by YB Teresa Kok and YB Ronnie Liu, although YB Wee Choo Keong exposed no names in the first place and ended up with a teaser - Siapa makan cili, dia terasa pedas.

Several days ago, the Political Secretary to Ean Yong Hian Wah was found dead at the MACC building grounds and cause of death (COD) was reported to be due to a fall from high levels.

Surprisingly, Ean Yong Hian Wah is also an EXCO of Selangor, not just a normal ADUN of Seri Kembangan.

I wonder if these have any links to the accusations by YB Wee Choo Keong on a particular Selangor EXCO.

YB Wee Choo Keong must reveal the identity of the Selangor State Exco member, whose links to the underworld is an open secret in the Selangor Govt administration, to give Teoh his justice !

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

ey lap dog show some respect the the departed lah

dontlikestupidpolitician said...

anon 1,

PR leader now playing too much politics. Even with dead people.

Perakian said...

Isn't it strange, when MACC works efficiently against PR leaders, whereas against allegations on the government, or ex-government leaders, were met with little or none investigations?

You said:" The system is clear in Malaysia that the Royal Malaysian Police and the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission are independent bodies that come under the Royal patronage of DYMM Yang Dipertuan Agong Malaysia." However, remember all the rallies last year? A use of force was used against the Opposition, Hindraf and Bersih, while the protests by UMNO youths for example at the Iraq War (charging at the ex. Sec of State Condeleeza Rice to hand a memo) were strangely consented. Even smaller rallies like candlelight vigils that are supposed to be peaceful, get arrests. Tell me, even if they are independent by name, are they independent in mind? It is rather obvious who they side with, and thus, the anger is directed at.

You said: "It is high time Malaysians look far and beyond these crafty words often used by politicians to gain political mileage, fame and news."

I highly doubt that would need to be at an expense of another person's life. Nor would he be that fanatical in becoming a political martyr by sacrificing himself. He is, as you and I, passionate in trying to make a difference. If you heard, he joined in only recently after March 08. And also, he was getting married the following day. So that hardly makes him suicidal.

The people are angry because a person has died when he should be protected and be as safe as he could in the hands of the authorities. If you go back a little further, Kugan also died under similar circumstances and even bruise marks were detected post-mortem. Not to mention as well, the famous black eye given by the ex-IGP at Anwar Ibrahim. This doesn't bode well in showing to the people that these institutions might be using harsh means to gain information from their custodies. I'm very very disappointed that they would need to resort to brutality and intimidation to achieve their means. Now the public faith has eroded at these bodies, who would trust them anymore?

Cosmetic changes in the Government isn't enough, Wei Liang. A huge revamp is needed, but nothing has been done to convince the people. This is going to be another blow to them, especially after the remarks from Nazri and the MSM, that hardly makes up for it. Kudos though to those who actually started by writing condolences before saying anything. At least they understand the value of a life, regardless of what they are.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it strange MACC only works against the Opp. or kill it.

Muahaha

Tze Horng said...

Before giving my comments, may Beng Hock rest in peace.

The death of Beng Hock is highly doubtful because explanations given by the responsible quarters are not enough to convince me in every single aspect. If you didn't notice, it is also contradictory to the police's investigation and findings, MACC officers say that he was left alone in the office and the last time they saw him is around 6a.m. His body was found around 1.30p.m. by a janitor. While according to the autopsy report, he was dead 5 hours earlier. Meaning that he was dead around 8.30a.m. My question for you is why aren’t any officers working during this hour? Isn't it a working day? Besides that, someone in the MCAA also stated that some of the officers are working overnight. Isn't this contradictory?

Another thing I wanted to point out is, Beng Hock is just a witness in this case. Why do they have to interrogate him until the wee hours? You can say that MCAA officers are hardworking or anything but this are not the standard procedure. Lawyer is also not allowed to accompany Beng Hock during the investigation, isn't that doubtful? I am not sure if you have taken any political science before but I will explain to you what is the basic law for arresting a person in the US. There is something called the Miranda Rights where a cop needs to inform the suspect of his/her rights before making an arrest. I believe that these basic rights should be the same for developed nations, yes, including Malaysia. In Beng Hock's case, he was denied the right to access for a lawyer. Think about that.

Besides that, the MACC is investigating an Rm2400 case. That is a puny amount compared to some big corruption cases, this is a real insult for a Sabahan here considering the widespread of corruption in Sabah and no action was taken. Isn't that doubtful for any logical thinking person? I will say it again it is only Rm2400. Why do they need to investigate him for more than 10 hours until late night? He is just a witness! The reason why opposition parties link the BN and MACC is because no one from the BN is being investigated. It is as simple as that.

If you want to link the underworld and Beng Hock's death, try to think about it again. How do they get into the MACC building? You are talking about a government building, where is the security? Did anyone was caught in the CCTV? Yes? No? If you say yes, I really doubt that MACC is link with someone outside. This is just my opinion.

Mr Goh Wei Liang, I am not a big fan of politics. I will not support either side but as long as they do their jobs and offer an acceptable explanation, I will accept it. That's all. For this case, it is way too much for a logical person to accept it. I am really disappointed with your article here.

Once again, May Beng Hock's soul rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

Dear Goh,

You said that "The death of Teoh marks the need for Malaysia to reform - not just in terms of transparency, integrity and accountability".

How else, pray tell, exactly should Malaysia reform besides transparency, integrity and accountability? Unfortunately, the rest of this article did not offer any answer to this save a running down of the Federal Opposition.

It's well within your right to criticise one side of the political divide, but this article would have been of more value if some constructive ideas could be put forward. Unless the agenda is just to 'checkmate' the Exco member whose face you posted here as per the last sentence.

Cheers.

Anonymous said...

Bravo!

You are my hero.

Take that LKS!

Donplaypuks® said...

"I am very surprised why so many among the Opposition who immediately linked Barisan Nasional to Teoh's death and the MACC"

I am surprised why you have not lashed out at so many UMNO politicians and UMNO bloggers who have linked Teoh's death to the Chinese underworld and Ronnie Liu without a shred of proof or evidence.

No one has linked Teoh's death to BN. Of course MACC is linked because of its statements that contradict basic logic, e.g. Hamdan says Teoh was released at 3.45 a.m. and therefore MACC bears no responsibility for what happened subsequently and yet witnesses place Teoh on the couch in MACC's pantry at 6 a.m. and its lobby at 6.30 a.m. This is just one such contradiction. There are several more.

Please don't spin to outdo the Kelantan top masters!

ryan said...

Hey,

Why link Najib with murder?

PLEASE DO SOME RESEARCH! MACC IS NOT AN INDEPENDENT BODY AS IT IS ANSWERABLE TOWARDS MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS.

DUH!

In Malaysia, long gone the day when judiciary, executive and legislature remains separate powers. All was lost during the 1988 constitutional crisis when Dr M, together with the regent at that time, sack the Lord President without a valid (of course, some might disagree) reason. The fact is that politicians from BN have totally infiltrated into your so-called independent bodies.

One big freaking piece of example for your piece of mind, dude ===> In Malaysia, civil servant = government servant and the high-ranking officers there totally lack neutrality. Not mentioning the statutory bodies which listen only to BN ministers and disregard any requests from the state government.

You want to comment about politics and raise the possibility about conspiracy theories? Read more!

Antu said...

Ronni Liu, Ean Yong & DAP sure die - one ! ! !

- by chaptokam

ryan said...

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/opinion/tengku-razaleigh-hamzah/33001-why-i-shall-not-be-accepting-zaids-offer

The presence of political and racial hegemony were not mentioned in your analysis. When Ku Li, the UMNO elite with conscience who fights for equality and equity, was sidelined via money politics, did you utter a word against Najib and Tun M?

The fact that our national institutions lose their independence which, at the end of the day, cause loss of public confidence is one of the greatest problem we have to address! "Reform" is merely a sloganeering and publicity gimmick. UMNO/MIC/MCA, etc said repetitively that they have reformed. Do share with us on what have been done?

p/s: reform is not restricted to introducing some lack-of-depth policies in order to please the rakyat. We need changes in substance, mindset, attitude, ideology, philosophy, perception, etc!

Donplaypuks® said...

“Well-placed sources and officials close to the MACC said Teoh was “manhandled and threatened” by investigators during a 10-hour interrogation as part of a political conspiracy to bring down opposition leaders, led by Anwar Ibrahim, and to implicate them for alleged misuse of funds.

“When he refused to do so, the officers dragged him to a window on the 14-story building and threatened to throw him out,”said the source who was not authorized to speak to media.”

Well, this piece from Malaysian Mirror is interesting. Check it out at:

http://malaysianmirror.com/homedetail/45-home/5374-you-stupid-china-man

dpp

We are all of one Race, the Human Race.
That is all that really matters.

Tony said...

Everyone on the street knows that our beloved PDRM and MACC is not independent as they so very obviously serve BN. Individuals with hidden agendas choose not to see this for also very obvious reasons.

How the PDRM and MACC acts against PR as compared to BN is so very evident. You can choose to ignore it, Mr Goh, but again I ask of you, where is your conscience? What if this incident were to happen to your beloved ones?

Tze Horng said...

Mr Goh, I am not sure of your agenda but there is one thing that I wanted to remind you, politic is the dirtiest game in the world. It is all about conspiracy and only the dirtiest of them all will survive this game. Look at Obama, though I really support him but I can tell that he is very good in manipulating his words and of course what he did in order to become the President. That is why I said, you can never trust whatever a politician said and what is published in the newspaper without reading it carefully. Think. That is the keyword.
By the way, look at the propaganda methods MSM used in reporting the RCI. The title is, "Nod for royal and inquest into Teoh's death," the Star. Sounds good right? At first glance, it is like RCI is approved but after reading it over and over again the result is, the Royal Commission role is to investigate MACC's method of interrogation but will not investigate Teoh's death. The inquest will be headed by some magistrate judge. That's all. See...

In another article, PM said that he wanted to establish the truth. After reading the article, the truth he means is to investigate the MACC method but not the truth of Teoh's death. Another camouflage.

Please be careful when reading news Mr. Goh.

ryan said...

Being neutral is fine. But pseudo-neutrality is equivalent to hypocrisy, in my opinion. I have read about previous posts about online independent news portal being inclined to PR's course and, apparently, you has criticized PR for exhibiting double standards when accessing different scenarios under various contexts. However, it is amusing that you have been doing that as well.

Taking Tun Mahathir for an example. Undeniably, he did bring quite a number of physical development to our countries by completing several mega projects. It was surprising when you choose to ignore some of the major failures, e.g. MSC, Bakun Dam, PEWAJA, etc of which have put billions of ringgit into waste. The fact that he has paralyzed our public instutitions (e.g. 1988 constitutional crisis) was ignored as well.

Such a leader who has failed to uphold the spirit of consitutional monarchy should be pointed out clearly on his misdeeds! He has brought Malaysia to a stage which we even make a big hoo-hah over a nonsense slogan "1Malaysia" which is meaningless!

Anonymous said...

why setup MACC directly report to the PM why no the member of paliament.????
MACC directly report to najis. ???

Anonymous said...

As I read his blog, I feel so so sorry for this young man. Such promise in a young man, but lacks the one vital ingredient to be a good man. And that is the ability to assess issues without prejudice. Your bias comes mainly from your blind devotion to Mahathir. No doubts we have all been there and done that. He has a well-oiled tongue that he can use so well when he wants to, and I too, in my younger days, was similarly impressed. But years has wizened me up. I just hope this young man is able to view issues without any coloured glasses or else it's another lost generation for Malaysia if young people like him contnues to take such a skewed view of the issues confronting our nation.
I wish you all the best, young man. It will be for your (and your children's) good if you learn to open up your mind a bit. Unlearn in order to learn.