A slap on her face

It is slightly more than 2 years since TBH was found death on 16 July, 2009 at MACC office in Shah Alam, after giving his statements pertaining to an investigation on his boss, Ean Yong Hian Wah alleged misappropriation of public fund. Teoh was merely standing in as a witness and he was not even investigated and henceforth, many people were not believing in suicide was the real cause of his death. Many people thought that there could be some cover-ups. How could an innocent young man who was just about to get married and expecting a baby out of the sudden committed suicide?

The Coroner delivered an open verdict, ruling out a homicide or suicide and the PM then set up a royal commission Inquiry (RCI) seemingly wanted to contain the resentment of the people on the government, especially on MACC. Despite the setting up of the RCI, many people were still skeptical at that point in time that it would result in any drastic change on the outcome of TBH death. If the coroner could not ascertain the actual cause of Beng Hock’ death, how could the RCI, setting up one year after the death could possibly overturn the coroner’s open verdict? Did the government expect new evident would just drop from the sky or MACC out of the sudden could come forth with new evident such as a cctv footage in showing that TBH was jumping form the 14th floor by himself without any third party involvement?

So, that is what it is; 19,200 pages of notes of evidence, 256 exhibits, 750 pages of submissions, 1,000 pages of authorities, 70 witnesses, 60 days of proceedings and a 124-page report by RCI cost RM 45 a copy with an expected answer; TBH was driven to suicide by oppressive grilling but this time around, 3 MACC officers were singled out for misappropriation leading to Beng Hock’s death. That is, nothing more nothing less except for some recommendations suggested to reform MACC but then again, it is entirely up to the government whether or not to look into those recommendations made by MACC.

In an sms reply to a press, TBH’s fiancé thanked the RCI for allowing her to dream for several months but, she knew that it was time to wake up as the RCI report was none other than a slap on her face.

It is time for all of us to wake up indeed.