Silent outrage at Teoh's funeral - Malaysiakini

More than 2,000 people gathered for the funeral of Teoh Beng Hock in Alor Gajah, Malacca.

During the funeral rites, which began at 9.45am, Teoh's pregnant fiancee Soh Sher Wei (right) read out a moving tribute.

She called on Teoh to "come back". Many were in tears as they listened to her.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok represented DAP as she read out the party's condolences.

Among those present were representatives of several Chinese guilds and associations, and members of Pakatan Rakyat.

The funeral procession began at 10.45am. The crowd accompanied the hearse, which was decorated with red trimmings to signifiy sudden death.

Family members and Pakatan leaders and supporters followed the cortege on foot for about 1km from the house to the main road.

Many were crying openly. His sisters murmured "rest in peace".

Black-and-white A4 posters with Teoh's photograph were held up by many in the crowd, displaying the words jangan biarkan Beng Hock mati sia-sia (don't let Beng Hock's death be in vain).

A huge black-and-white poster, prepared by PKR, was carried in front of the hearse. It bore the words 'Justice for Beng Hock'.

Other banners had wordings in Chinese that read 'Justice for Beng Hock' and 'The people want answers'.

At 11.05am, the procession ended and many transferred to vehicles for the rest of the journey to the Nirvana Memorial Park in Semenyih, where the burial will be held.

The convoy arrived in Semenyih town at 12.50, where people were waiting with banners and flowers.

Earlier today, some 500 people had gathered at Teoh's house by 9am. The atmosphere was one of silent outrage, with dozens of banners being displayed outside the premises.

These bore messages ranging from 'Don't let Beng Hock die in vain', ' Justice for Beng Hock, answers for rakyat', ' Set up royal commission (of inquiry), let justice be served'.

It is learnt that the family had requested a low-key reaction from mourners and that the crowd had complied by not shouting slogans.

All the main Pakatan leaders paid their last respects at 10.18am. They were joined by former MCA vice-president Chua Jui Meng, who had only joined PKR last Saturday.

They were followed by Malacca MCA exco member Gan Tian Loo.

About 10 police personnel, including traffic police, monitored the situation and directed traffic.

'Do it now, Najib'

DAP leaders led by Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh and Guan Eng held a press conference about 9.30am.

Kit Siang said he wants premier Najib Abdul Razak to announce that a royal panel will be set up immediately on his return to Malaysia today, rather than wait until the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to make a decision.

He also urged Najib to order the MACC to "stop the war against Pakatan", adding that the anti-graft body has "become Umno's tool to topple the Selangor government".

Karpal said he wants Najib to suspend Ahmad Said as MACC chief.

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim also spoke briefly to the press, calling for stringent action.

He said the government must not dilly-dally and that both the police and anti-corruption heads have to assume responsibility for the situation "because the questioning of Teoh broke some rules".

Pakatan leaders will meet in the shortest time to discuss the issue, he added.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub backed calls for a royal commission of inquiry, saying Malaysians should be told what had happened to Teoh.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said: "We want to tell Beng Hock that he will not be forgotten. We also want to tell the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that we will not let them off (the hook)".

Teoh, 30, the political secretary to Selangor exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead last Friday.

He had been picked up on Thursday about 5pm for questioning by the Selangor MACC in relation to a proble into the spending of constituency funds.

His body was found about 1.30pm the next day on the fifth floor balcony of the building in which the MACC is housed in Shah Alam.

Investigations are in progress.