Ex-MACC chief questions legality of Pamela Ling probe
Dzulkifli says he was surprised to learn that Ling had previously been arrested and remanded by MACC, which according to him confirmed her legal status as a suspect at the time.
KUCHING (May 7): Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad has expressed serious concerns over the conduct and legality of the anti-graft body's ongoing investigation into Pamela Ling.
He said he was surprised to learn that Ling had previously been arrested and remanded by MACC, which according to him confirmed her legal status as a suspect at the time.
'What raises alarm is that following her release from remand, her statements continued to be recorded on at least nine separate occasions,' he said in a statement today.
Dzulkifli said such a sequence of events merited close scrutiny, as under existing legal procedure, once a person has been arrested and has their statements recorded, the law does not permit further statements to be taken in the same capacity unless they are reclassified as a witness—and even then only with the approval of a Deputy Public Prosecutor.
He said under the MACC Act and legal principles governing due process, arrests should only be made once there is sufficient evidence to support a formal charge.
'Premature arrests, when investigations are still ongoing, risk undermining justice and the rule of law,' he warned.
He also cited examples of other investigations that support his call for consistency and adherence to legal procedures, in which he noted that in the case of former Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri, the MACC did not arrest him even though he was a suspect, opting instead to record his statement without detention.
'Similarly, in the case of businesswoman Vivy Yusof, she was not arrested during the investigation and was only brought to court once charges were filed. These examples reflect a more measured and lawful approach that should be consistently applied,' he said.
He urged enforcement agencies, including the MACC, to ensure that all actions taken are in full compliance with the law and that individuals' rights are not violated in the process.
Dzulkifli currently serves as Amlac Academy president. Dzulkifli Ahmad investigation legality MACC Pamela Ling
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Former MACC chief urges reform on travel restrictions
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad has called for institutional reforms to ensure that any authority enforcing movement restrictions on individuals operates under legal oversight, with full accountability and transparency. He said such reforms are essential to uphold justice for all individuals and to preserve the rule of law. Dzulkifli said the practice of imposing movement restrictions without due process or transparency must be stopped. "This is not merely a personal inconvenience. "It clearly violates Article 9(2) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to move freely within Malaysia and to leave the country. "Restrictions imposed without due process or transparency are unethical, unlawful, and unconstitutional. "This practice must end," he said in a statement today. He was commenting on the recent incident involving activist and graphic artist Fahmi Reza, who claimed he was barred from leaving the country after being blacklisted from entering Sabah. Dzulkifli also shared his personal experience of facing travel restrictions imposed by the anti-graft body in 2018. "What happened to Fahmi Reza is, unfortunately, nothing new. Many others have gone through the same thing, including myself. "After the 2018 general election, when there was a change in government and I had retired from public service, I was barred from leaving the country. My applications to perform umrah were rejected twice. "I was shocked, and a check with the Immigration Department revealed that the restriction was requested by the MACC, an agency I once led as chief commissioner. "The travel ban was only lifted during the administration of the country's ninth prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob), after I personally requested the MACC to review the matter," he claimed. Yesterday, Fahmi claimed he was prevented from leaving the country after immigration officers at KLIA informed him that he had been blacklisted. Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said in a statement that no official travel restriction had been imposed on Fahmi, whose full name is Mohd Fahmi Reza Mohd Zarin. Razarudin, however, said Fahmi's name was placed on a movement monitoring list for internal police reference, as investigations involving him are still ongoing.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
NFA in Teoh Beng Hock case: DAP seeks clarification from A-G
KUALA LUMPUR: DAP has called on Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar to provide a detailed explanation for his decision not to pursue criminal charges in the case involving the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock. In a joint statement issued by DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo and secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the party expressed disappointment over the Attorney-General's decision to classify the case as "no further action" (NFA), despite previous court rulings that pointed to foul play. "The Attorney-General must explain why he believes there is insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone for Teoh Beng Hock's death, especially in light of the findings of the Court of Appeal and civil proceedings," the statement read. According to DAP, the case was referred to the Attorney-General by police on May 21 and was subsequently classified as NFA. A letter dated May 30 was later sent to the family's legal representatives, stating that the investigations did not uncover sufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution. Teoh, who was a political aide to a Selangor state executive councillor, died in 2009 while in the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "DAP has been consistently calling for accountability in the case. "The party previously assembled a legal team that initiated an inquest into Teoh's death, which revealed bruising on his neck. "However, the 2011 Coroner's Court returned an open verdict." Subsequent legal challenges saw the Court of Appeal overturn the Coroner's decision, concluding in 2014 that Teoh's death resulted from "an unlawful act or acts of persons unknown, inclusive of MACC officers who were involved in the arrest and investigation." In a related civil suit, the government and MACC admitted liability for negligence, resulting in a RM600,000 settlement to Teoh's family, along with RM60,000 in costs. "These court decisions form a solid basis for further investigation to identify those responsible for Teoh Beng Hock's death. "Whilst the duty to investigate the case and to identify those responsible lies with the police, it is for the Attorney-General to decide his next step based on that investigation," the statement added. The party also voiced its support for the family's reported move to challenge the NFA decision via a judicial review. "We call upon the Attorney-General to reconsider his decision and move forward with pressing charges against those responsible, without further delay."
Malaysiakini
a day ago
- Malaysiakini
Gambling with Islamic funds
Good morning. Here's what you should know today. Key Highlights Gambling with Islamic funds Umno balik kampung London One less job for Zafrul Gambling with Islamic funds The MACC believes that more than RM20 million raised through sukuk funds for a highway project may have been misused for gambling. They've also uncovered more than 300 bottles of fancy booze worth RM3 million in a storage facility. This was uncovered as part of an MACC probe into false claims filed in the RM1.3 billion highway project. One of the suspects is a Tan Sri. HIGHLIGHTS Umno balik kampung London Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is in the UK for a working visit. The trip is also becoming an Umno getaway of sorts, with at least 12 party leaders - including three of Zahid's aides - also in London. However, Zahid's political secretary Megat Zulkarnain Omardin said that those not linked to the deputy premier's office all paid for the trip out of their own pockets. HIGHLIGHTS One less job for Zafrul There has been a lot of speculation about what's in store for Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz once his final term as senator expires at the end of the year. However, one job option is now off the table. The government has appointed a career diplomat to become the next US ambassador. Zafrul's chances of becoming Selangor menteri besar is also in question, with current office holder Amirudin Shari seemingly reluctant to let go and get promoted to Putrajaya. HIGHLIGHTS Views that matter In case you missed it
