Latest news with #Dzulkifli
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- 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
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Former MACC chief questions legality of second seizure of Ilham Tower
Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad has questioned the legality of the second seizure of Ilham Tower, suggesting the move may exceed the bounds of Malaysian law. Now a practising lawyer, Dzulkifli pointed out that the asset had already been seized under Section 38(1) of the MACC Act on Dec 18, 2023. He said action under Section 38 requires the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) to be satisfied that the asset in question - Ilham Tower - either constitutes the proceeds of, or is evidence related to, a corruption offence. "If no charges are brought or civil forfeiture proceedings initiated before June 17, 2025 - the end of the statutory 18-month period - it raises a fundamental question as to whether the original seizure was justified," he said in a statement today. Dzulkifli, the MACC's third chief commissioner, added that although the MACC Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) operate under different legal frameworks, two overlapping seizure orders on the same property may be seen as an overreach of authority. "This is because legal powers must be exercised based on necessity, fairness, and proportionality," he said. It was reported yesterday that Ilham Tower, located on Jalan Binjai, had once again been seized by MACC. The commission said it had obtained approval from the DPP to seize the building, which is linked to the late former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin. According to the agency, the latest seizure was carried out via an Immovable Property Seizure Notice dated June 4, 2025, under Section 51(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA). Dzulkifli said enforcement actions must be grounded in clear legal thresholds, not procedural convenience. "If AMLA is invoked merely to maintain control of the asset as the earlier MACC order nears expiry, it may undermine the rule of law and call into question the legitimacy of the original seizure," he said. He also noted that the absence of further action by June 18 would suggest that Ilham Tower was never genuinely linked to a corruption offence under the MACC Act. "This raises a critical question: why is there now a need for a new seizure order under Section 51 of AMLA? What new evidence, if any, justifies this action?" he asked. He added that the Ilham Tower case presents a significant test of how far enforcement and prosecutorial powers may be exercised within the law. "With the June 17 deadline approaching, all eyes are on the DPP's next move. Will there be a charge? Forfeiture? Or will the order lapse - signalling that the asset was wrongly targeted from the outset?" he said.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Concerns over legality of Pamela Ling probe
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.'
Borneo Post
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
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
Borneo Post
07-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Call to intensify AMLA powers to tackle billion-ringgit scams
Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad KUCHING (May 7): Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad has called on enforcement agencies, particularly the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), to intensify their use of powers under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) in the fight against billion-ringgit online scams. Responding to a The Star report on May 4 detailing how a business owner was conned out of RM1.8 million in an online investment scam, Dzulkifli warned that such fraud cases are becoming alarmingly frequent and causing heavy losses to Malaysians. 'It is time for enforcement agencies such as the PDRM to utilise their powers under AMLA more efficiently and aggressively. 'The main focus should not just be on arresting the perpetrators, assuming proper investigations are even carried out, but also on tracing the flow of illicit funds and recovering the stolen money,' he said in a statement yesterday. He emphasised that action must go beyond arrests, especially in cases involving international syndicates and mule accounts, which are notoriously difficult to track. Dzulkifli also said enforcement bodies should align their investigative strategies with the objectives of AMLA, including freezing, seizure, and forfeiture of criminal proceeds. 'The loss of RM1.8 million is just one of many similar cases we continue to see. The emphasis now must be on asset recovery, which is returning what's been stolen to the victims.' Dzulkifli, who now heads Amlac Academy, a training institution offering a Professional Diploma in Corporate Anti-Corruption Management, continues to play an active role in raising awareness on financial crimes. Through the academy, he advocates for professional upskilling and a deeper understanding of anti-corruption measures to improve corporate governance and public integrity. He concluded that stronger enforcement and greater public education must go hand in hand if Malaysia is to seriously curb the scourge of online financial fraud.
