By Wong Teck Chi | Nov 2, 10 4:26pm Malaysiakini
The ‘Malaysians for Beng Hock’ movement released a series of photographs today to prove that one of their members was manhandled by an MCA grassroots leader in Gua Musang, Kelantan, last Saturday.
The movement’s coordinator Ng Yap Hwa said the photographs proved that one of its members, Soh Cher Hai, was in fact violently pushed by an individual who has been identified as the Gua Musang MCA division secretary.
The movement said the photographs were proof that Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Heng Seai Kie had issued misleading statements on the incident.
Heng had claimed that Soh did not exactly fall onto the ground and that she had ensured Soh’s safety before she left. Ng said the photographs also depict Heng not only witnessing the incident but leaving the scene and ignoring Soh, who was on the ground just a few feet from her (right).
The group also challenged Heng’s claim that Soh “nearly fell” during melee, that his fall was broken by others surrounding him.
“Our evidence shows that Heng has lied outrageously,” Ng told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in the federal capital today.
He urged MCA to sack the division secretary who had acted violently and to take displinary action against Heng for lying.
Meanwhile, Soh, who was also present at the press conference, said he reserved his right to take legal action against his assailant.
Last Saturday, Soh had attempted to approach Heng after an evening function at Gua Musang, where the deputy minister was campaigning for BN in the Galas by-election.
Heng: I emphatise with Soh
The pushing incident involving Soh has turned into a campaign fiasco for the MCA as Gua Musang’s Chinese community have expressed disdain over the matter.
In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Heng yesterday issued a statement to show tacit support for one of issues of the Malaysians for Beng Hock movement – the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Teoh Beng Hock’s death.
Heng (left) said: “As regards the Teoh Beng Hock case, the petition for the inception of a royal commission is of grave concern to the public.
“As a deputy minister, I am duty-bound to report the issue to my party president Dr Chua Soi Lek and Kelantan MCA liaison chief Dr Ng Yen Yen to seek the party’s decision and guidance.”
She also claimed that she was willing to accommodate the group’s demand for a meeting in Gua Musang and in Kuala Lumpur, but this was rejected by the group.
“On the said evening, due to my tight schedule (that was) prior arranged, I had to leave the venue prematurely, but I did offer twice to meet Soh and his members the following day at Galas.
“But that was unfortunately rejected by Soh and his group for whatever reasons best known to them,” Heng said, adding that the group did not accept offers to meet at another time.
She said she would contact the inspector-general of police soon to urge the police to expedite investigations into the pushing incident.
“At the same time, I empathise with Soh over the incident. I urge the police to treat the assault report lodged by Soh seriously,” she added.
At the ‘Malaysians for Beng Hock’ group’s press conference, Teoh’s sister Lee Lan shed tears over MCA’s accusation that the group was trying to politicise the death of her brother.
She criticised MCA for failure to help the family to urge the setting up of a royal commission and blaming the family for politicising the issue when they sought the help of other concerned citizens.
“Our family has never rejected the help of MCA and we are still waiting. However, you have kept us waiting and even asked us to wait until the inquest was finished (before the royal commission of inquiry can be set up).
“How you want us to explain the death of a brother? I feel sad and disappointed with the MCA.”
Ng also denied that the accusation that the movement was influenced by political forces and stressed that opposition leaders only came to the police station to show their compassion.