NECF Pastoral Letter - RE: Teoh Beng Hock
29 July 2009
The Pastor/Elder/Leader
NECF Member Churches/Organisations
Malaysia
Over the last two weeks, many of us would have agonized and raged over the untimely and most tragic demise of Teoh Beng Hock. Some of us may have even been overflowing with wrath, given the human side of the tragedy - that Beng Hock was hours away from being a husband and months away from being a father before his life was snuffed out.
Together with thousands all over Malaysia, we have shared a gut-wrenching grief with his family and fiancée, and the feeling has not abated through time.
Thanks to the persistent demands for truth and justice from many quarters, the Government has finally agreed to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI). Unfortunately, RCI will only investigate the interrogation methods of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and not Beng Hock's death, which will be investigated via an inquest conducted by a magistrate beginning today.
Much as we are disappointed over the Government's move, let us pick up from this decision to pray earnestly for the following:
1) Pray that the WHOLE TRUTH - and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH - about Beng Hock's death will be revealed, whether through the inquest or RCI. Pray there will be no cover up and that the party (or parties) responsible for this heinous crime will be brought to book immediately;.
2) Pray that the Prime Minister's pledge for a transparent investigation will not be empty rhetoric but an honest, sincere search for the truth, regardless of whatever consequences the truth may bring to the Government and to certain individuals.
3) Pray that the Government will heed the public's cry for MACC to report to the Parliament instead of to the Prime Minister (as is the current policy). With MACC reporting to the Parliament, it will be impartial towards political parties and thus, be more effective in its objective of weeding out corruption.
While on this matter, we are most disturbed and displeased by the seemingly biased ongoing investigations of our politicians. Reported corruption cases of millions of ringgit involving individuals of certain political parties are left untouched while far smaller cases involving politicians of other parties are being pursued with missionary zeal.
The public is acutely aware of the MACC's (seeming) partiality. It appears that the MACC is an instrument wielded by certain individuals for their own advantage. By making MACC accountable to the Parliament instead of to the Prime Minister alone, this will prove the Government's desire to weed out corruption.
4) Pray that through the RCI investigation, MACC's weaknesses and unjust and unlawful procedures will be exposed and corrected. An example of a weakness - MACC does not allow those being questioned access to solicitors.
5) Finally, pray and tell all your friends who eligible to vote to register as a voter NOW. Every individual vote counts as is proven in last year's election. Let us take ownership of our country's future by making our vote count.
Sam Ang
Secretary-General
NECF Malaysia |
