Government pays Teoh Beng Hock's family RM600,000 in damages
T K Letchumy Tamboo
Mei 12, 2015 08:01 MYT
Mei 12, 2015 08:01 MYT
On the night before his death, Teoh (pic) had been interrogated for nine house. He was only released by the MACC officers at 3.45am on July 16, 2009. He was reportedly last seen alive around 6am.
The government today agreed to pay RM600,000 in damages to the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock as settlement in a negligence suit filed by the family against the government and 13 others over his death.
The consent judgment was recorded by High Court judge Datuk Rosnaini Saub recorded the counsel for the Teoh family, Gobind Singh Deo, informed the court that both parties had agreed to settle the civil suit.
Beng Hock's father, Teoh Leong Hwee, and mother, Teng Shuw Hoi, as well as fiance, Soh Cher Wei and their son, Teoh Er Jia, were named the plaintiffs in the suit which was filed on Oct 3, 2012.
They named the government, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and 12 others as defendants.
In the statement of claim, the plaintiffs stated that MACC had wrongfully attacked Beng Hock, causing him to be in fear and under extreme duress.
As such, the family was seeking damages for loss of consortium, sorrow and negligence.
Gobind said although the settlement was a great victory for the Teoh family, they still wants those responsible for Selangor political aide's death to be charged in court.
"The family said in court today that they accept the payment to the extent of the claim for negligence, and that they stand by the decision of the Court of Appeal. But they also demand that police conduct further investigations into the matter and charge those responsible for his death.
"We will continue to push the police for further action. Legally, we've done all that we possibly can. It is now for the police to do the needful and we will not stop pushing for justice for Beng Hock," Gobind said in a statement.
Gobind, who took over the case from his late father, Karpal Singh, said he would not take any payment from Beng Hock's family, as his father’s wish.
“I will not accept payment of any fees from the Teoh family in this regard.
“This was the clear instructions given to me by the late Mr Karpal Singh, in respect of his services in this case before his untimely death last year."
Teoh, who was a political aide to DAP Selangor exco Ean Yong Hian Wah, fell to his death at the Selangor MACC office at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on July 16, 2009, after hours of being interrogated by MACC officers on an alleged corruption case.