logo
Concerns over legality of Pamela Ling probe

Concerns over legality of Pamela Ling probe

The Sun11-05-2025

PETALING JAYA: Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad has voiced concerns about the legality of the commission's investigation into Datin Seri Pamela Ling, particularly following her arrest, remand and subsequent disappearance.
Dzulkifli questioned whether due process was observed during the course of the investigation because Ling had already been arrested, remanded and had her statement recorded – actions that, under Malaysian law, firmly established her status as a suspect.
'Once someone has been arrested and remanded, further questioning in the same capacity is not permitted unless the individual is reclassified as a witness, and only with the DPP's approval,' he said in a statement, adding that under the MACC Act, a person should only be arrested when there is sufficient evidence to support a formal charge.
'Making arrests prematurely while investigations are still ongoing may not only be unjustified but also risks violating the rule of law and the fundamental principles of justice.
'The MACC should adopt the same approach it used in other cases, such as that of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, who was treated as a suspect but not arrested, and whose statement was simply recorded instead.
'Likewise, in the investigation involving Vivy Yusof and her husband, the founders of FashionValet, no arrests were made even though they were also suspects.'
Dzulkifli said the examples reflect a more measured and lawful approach that should be consistently applied.
'It is imperative that all enforcement agencies, including the MACC, adhere strictly to due process and the legal safeguards enshrined under Malaysian law to ensure that individual rights are not violated under the guise of investigation,' he stressed.
In response, the MACC defended the legality of its investigation into Ling and her husband, Sarawakian businessman Hah Tiing Siu, saying that all actions taken were within the bounds of the law.
It said the probe began in May 2024 over alleged corruption and money laundering. While Hah reportedly cooperated with authorities, Ling allegedly did not, despite being summoned, prompting MACC to obtain an arrest warrant from the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court on Dec 2 last year.
On Jan 8, in a joint operation with Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, Ling was apprehended and brought back to Malaysia. She was remanded from Jan 9 to 11 before being released on MACC bail. On April 9, she was again summoned following the emergence of new leads in the investigation, and a court order was obtained requiring her to surrender her travel documents.
'However, Ling failed to attend on that day, and her lawyer subsequently lodged a police report regarding her disappearance on the same day.
'All actions were taken within the ambit of the law, including securing court orders and complying with procedural requirements,' said the MACC, adding that allegations of misconduct were unfounded and that Ling's judicial review filing did not invalidate the ongoing investigation into her and her husband.
Previously, Ling had accused the MACC of misusing the MACC Act and anti-money laundering laws to pressure her into settling personal disputes with her estranged husband rather than pursuing legitimate investigative aims. She had also questioned the legal basis of her arrest and remand.
MACC maintained that its probe remains valid and that it continues to cooperate with police in efforts to locate Ling.
'Accordingly, the MACC urges all parties to refrain from speculation that could hinder the investigation or create confusion among the public.
'At this stage, our shared priority should be to provide full cooperation in locating and safely returning Ling. Continued cooperation with the authorities is essential to ensure this can happen smoothly and swiftly.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MACC deploys tactical squad to probe 'Tan Sri' in sukuk misappropriation case
MACC deploys tactical squad to probe 'Tan Sri' in sukuk misappropriation case

New Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • New Straits Times

MACC deploys tactical squad to probe 'Tan Sri' in sukuk misappropriation case

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today enlisted the assistance of the Anti-Corruption Tactical Squad (Acts) to record the statement of a 'Tan Sri' in connection with the investigation into the misappropriation of highway construction sukuk funds. This move followed the MACC's suspicion of a secret room at the individual's residence in Bandar Tasik Selatan, Cheras, believed to contain weapons and valuable assets related to the case. Sources said Acts personnel, along with two investigating officers, were deployed to search specific rooms suspected of storing assets linked to the misappropriated funds. It is understood that a team of Acts members arrived at the Tan Sri's home in four vehicles earlier this morning. A white Toyota Vios carrying MACC officers was seen entering the compound at 8.45am. It is also learnt that one of the entrances to the businessman's residence was sealed off by auxiliary police from a private security company. Traffic cones and barriers were placed at the entrance to the premises, while auxiliary police were seen preventing media personnel from approaching the location. Separately, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki told Buletin Utama that the deployment of Acts was necessary for specific reasons. "There are particular grounds for involving the team, chiefly to ensure the security of any items or exhibits that may be recovered. "So I cannot provide further details at this time, as I have yet to receive a full briefing on what was discovered during the raid on the Tan Sri's home," he told TV3 when contacted. Meanwhile, Azam confirmed that the process of recording the Tan Sri's statement is ongoing as part of the investigation. "So far, we have recorded statements from approximately 53 witnesses in this case. Many more will be called in to have their statements taken," he said. He was speaking at a press conference after the 2nd Convocation Ceremony of the Certified Law Enforcement Programme 2025, organised by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy (Maca) today.

MACC nabs four for alleged NGO fund misappropriation
MACC nabs four for alleged NGO fund misappropriation

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

MACC nabs four for alleged NGO fund misappropriation

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested four individuals, including three committee members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on suspicion of conspiring to misappropriate funds belonging to the NGO where they work. According to a source, the suspects—two men and two women in their 30s—were arrested between 4 pm and 7 pm yesterday when they came to give their statements at the MACC office in Melaka. 'Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were believed to have committed the offence between 2015 and 2025. They are suspected of conspiring with the NGO chairman, who abused power and misappropriated funds for personal gain,' the source said. Following the arrests, the MACC seized RM900,000 in cash, jewellery, nine land lots located in Melaka, Penang and Selangor, and four residential units in Melaka. Fourteen accounts—eight belonging to individuals and six to companies—with a total balance of about RM5 million were also frozen. Magistrate Nur Afiqah Radhiah Zainurin today granted a seven-day remand order until next Tuesday for all suspects, following an application made by the MACC at the Melaka Magistrate's Court. Meanwhile, Selangor MACC director Hairuzam Mohmad Amin@Hamim, when contacted, confirmed the arrests, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.

Asean's ambition of being world's fourth biggest economy by 2030 well within reach: Tengku Zafrul
Asean's ambition of being world's fourth biggest economy by 2030 well within reach: Tengku Zafrul

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

Asean's ambition of being world's fourth biggest economy by 2030 well within reach: Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean's ambition to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030 is well within reach, provided the region sustains an annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate between 4% and 5%. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz highlighted the region's robust growth prospects at the official launch of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan today. 'Our economists have thoroughly analysed the growth projections for all Asean economies under current conditions, and we are confident that the targets are indeed achievable,' he said. Tengku Zafrul noted that the Asean Secretariat projects regional GDP growth at 4.7% for 2025, as presented at the latest Asean Economic Ministers' Meeting. 'But things are very dynamic. It depends on the global economic situation. The IMF (International Monetary Fund) will also produce their forecast of global growth,' he said, stressing the need for vigilance amid shifting external factors. Tengku Zafrul emphasised the AEC Strategic Plan's role in keeping Asean's policies current and responsive to evolving business needs and emerging challenges. 'As the first instalment of this long-term vision, the plan serves as a comprehensive roadmap that outlines a clear and actionable path forward,' he said. The plan has been carefully crafted to implement the economic aspects of the Asean Community Vision 2045, leveraging the region's vast opportunities and potential. A key pillar of the plan is the establishment of a forward-looking digital economic framework, which is expected to double Asean's digital economy to US$2 trillion (RM4.5 trillion) by 2030. The focus on digital transformation, alongside sustained economic integration and resilience, positions Asean to not only achieve its growth targets but also to strengthen its global influence. On the domestic front, Tengku Zafrul sees positive signals from foreign investors in Malaysia, with no indication of existing investors withdrawing their commitments despite ongoing global uncertainties. 'So far, no existing investors have expressed any intention to exit Malaysia. They remain committed to their investments, and no cancellations have been announced.' However, he observed that new investors are adopting a more cautious, 'wait and see' approach, influenced by heightened geopolitical tensions – particularly between the United States and China – and broader global volatility. Looking ahead, Tengku Zafrul said his trade negotiations in Washington on June 18 will focus on reducing tariffs on Malaysian exports. 'The negotiations are essentially to address the current tariff structure, where the US has imposed a 24% tariff on Malaysia. Our first goal is to bring that down.' The second objective is to identify key sectors where Malaysia believes tariffs should be reduced even below the 10% floor, targeting industries important to both Malaysian exporters and the US economy. In April, the US government announced new tariff measures affecting more than 60 countries, including Malaysia. The implementation of these tariffs has been paused for 90 days to allow room for negotiations.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store