Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said Atif’s family had received no updates since the Johor prosecution unit informed them on Nov 17 last year that an inquest had been ordered.

“We urge the government, particularly the AGC, to take immediate steps to uncover the truth and ensure that justice is served to Atif and his grieving family,” he told a press conference at Parliament today.

Lee was accompanied by Atif’s family members and representatives from the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement and Eliminating Deaths and Abuse in Custody Together.

He said that justice delayed is justice denied, adding that accountability must be upheld to prevent similar tragedies.

FMT previously reported the family’s lawyer, M Visvanathan, criticising the AGC for its lack of progress in the case.

Visvanathan said a notice of motion for an inquest, filed at the Johor Bahru High Court on Oct 29, was rejected by the AGC on Nov 12. The family is appealing the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Atif was reported missing from the Mersing Industrial Training Institute on Dec 18, 2022, after calling his father, Abu Bakar Ja’afar, the night before to say that he was unwell and wanted to be picked up from his dormitory.

His body was found in the surau the next morning. A post-mortem revealed traumatic asphyxia and 53 injury marks on his body, leading the family to believe that he was beaten to death.

Despite initial arrests of “nine or 10 people” in connection with Atif’s death, no charges were filed and investigations eventually stalled.