We heard footsteps but no one came, says Beng Hock family on Anwar's promise

The family of the late Teong Beng Hock, which is seeking to reopen an investigation into the mysterious death of the late DAP officer, has criticised the lack of action two months after getting a personal assurance from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

They said during their meeting with Anwar, he promised to consult with the inspector-general of police and the attorney about reopening  the investigation.

"But we have not seen any action from the police so far," said a statement issued on behalf of Teoh's family by a foundation in his name, the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement.

"The reopening of Teoh Beng Hock's case is only, to adopt a famous chinese idiom, hearing the sound of footsteps, but no one came down," it said.

In 2009, Teoh, an aide to then DAP assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found sprawled on the landing of the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, just hours after he was detained for questioning at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office located on the 14th floor of the building.

Two years later, the Shah Alam Coroner's Court gave an open-ended verdict, ruling that his death was not due to suicide, murder or third-party involvement. In the same year, a royal inquiry into his death established that he had committed suicide.

On Aug 1, two weeks after skirmishes outside Parliament when family members attempted to deliver a memorandum on his case, Anwar announced that a new investigation into Teoh's death would be conducted transparently and fairly, following a highly publicised meeting with them.

"So far, we have not seen the police thoroughly investigate the MACC officials who interrogated Teoh Beng Hock based on the conclusion of the Court of Appeal that 'Teoh Beng Hock’s death was caused by illegal acts of one or more unknown persons'," the family said.

They likened the lack of action to the swift police investigations and arrests against cult group Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding following revelations of child sexual abuse in its welfare homes.

"The Teoh family praised the police for strictly enforcing the law to protect the basic human rights of children. We also hope that the police will reinvestigate Teoh Beng Hock's case with the same momentum, find out the real culprit and severely punish those who violate the law," the statement added.