Beng Hock’s parents, sister Lee Lan and members of the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement (TBH-ADA) lined up and bowed at a public memorial organised by the association.

“We, the family of Teoh Beng Hock, and the TBH-ADA will return a bow of courtesy.

“We bow to every individual, every organisation, every party and person who have stood with us in this long struggle.

“We thank you for your unwavering solidarity. We believe your support was granted not in pity or charity, but in a shared expectation of justice,” said an emcee.

The memorial marks the 16th anniversary of Beng Hock’s death.

On Thursday, DAP leaders bowed in “respect and sorrow” to the family, acknowledging they had been let down by investigations into the former political aide’s death.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, vice-chairman Teo Nie Ching, Selangor DAP chief Ng Sze Han and Teoh’s former boss, Ean Yong Hian Wah, bowed for about a minute at the end of a press conference at DAP’s headquarters.

The day before, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki apologised to the family and said the agency was prepared to provide them with a goodwill contribution.

Beng Hock, who was 30, was found dead on July 16, 2009 after falling from the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, Selangor, after being questioned for several hours by officers at the Selangor MACC headquarters.

An inquest into his death initially returned an open verdict. However, in 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled that the death was caused by “one or more unknown persons”, including MACC officers.

In May, former inspector-general of police Razarudin Husain confirmed that the investigation paper on Beng Hock’s death was classified as needing no further action, after the Attorney-General’s Chambers said it found insufficient evidence to bring charges.