The Sun
by Alyaa Alhadjri
by Alyaa Alhadjri
KUALA LUMPUR (April 7, 2011): Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have called for an independent and speedy inquiry into the death of Selangor Customs Department assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed.
Its president, Datuk Paul Low, said the inquiry should also cover Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) current operating procedures, processes and guidelines in the investigation of corruption cases.
"Any person in MACC's care, be they a witness, suspect or visitor, must be accorded fundamental protection at all times.
"We also urge the immmediate implementation of recomendations and proposal from the MACC complaints committee such as interrogation rooms placed at the lobby or the basement area to prevent untoward incidents and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in interrogation and waiting rooms," he said in a statement today, according to Bernama.
Its president, Datuk Paul Low, said the inquiry should also cover Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) current operating procedures, processes and guidelines in the investigation of corruption cases.
"Any person in MACC's care, be they a witness, suspect or visitor, must be accorded fundamental protection at all times.
"We also urge the immmediate implementation of recomendations and proposal from the MACC complaints committee such as interrogation rooms placed at the lobby or the basement area to prevent untoward incidents and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in interrogation and waiting rooms," he said in a statement today, according to Bernama.
Nevertheless, Low said, such an incident should not undermine MACC's ongoing investigations, following recent raids and arrests involving customs officers.
He said the commission should also not fear acting against any "big fish" linked to corrupt practices.
In a a joint statement issued today, 73 NGOs called for an immediate establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the incident, with half of its members nominated by civil society organisations.
It also called for the immediate suspension of MACC investigations director Datuk Mustafar Ali and all officers involved in investigating Ahmad Sarbani's case, pending completion of the RCI.
"We are saddened that the very institutions of the state that are supposed to protect and advance the public's interest have apparently abandoned the principles of democratic governance.
"Not only have human freedom and dignity been degraded, lives have also been unnecessarily lost," the NGOs said in the statement.
At a press conference at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese assembly hall (KLSCAH), its civil rights committee chairman Liau Kok Fah recalled the death of former DAP aide Teoh Beng Hock who was found dead on the fifth floor of Selangor MACC office at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam in July 2009.
"Will Ahmad Sarbani be the last? I sincerely hope that it will be the last time that we come together in making this demand for action to be taken by the government," said Liau.
Suaram president Kua Kia Soong reiterated calls which have been made since 2003 following findings of an RCI that recommended the formation of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.
He said there has been a clear lack of political will in implementing necessary changes, among others, installing recording devices in places where interrogations are conducted.
Human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen stressed the importance for witnesses to engage legal representation, or inform their family about their whereabouts before going in to give any statements.
Also present were All Women's Action Society (Awam) deputy president Ho Yock Lin, human rights communication centre KOMAS co-founder Tan Jo Hann and Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia core group member A Jayanath.
He said the commission should also not fear acting against any "big fish" linked to corrupt practices.
In a a joint statement issued today, 73 NGOs called for an immediate establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the incident, with half of its members nominated by civil society organisations.
It also called for the immediate suspension of MACC investigations director Datuk Mustafar Ali and all officers involved in investigating Ahmad Sarbani's case, pending completion of the RCI.
"We are saddened that the very institutions of the state that are supposed to protect and advance the public's interest have apparently abandoned the principles of democratic governance.
"Not only have human freedom and dignity been degraded, lives have also been unnecessarily lost," the NGOs said in the statement.
At a press conference at Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese assembly hall (KLSCAH), its civil rights committee chairman Liau Kok Fah recalled the death of former DAP aide Teoh Beng Hock who was found dead on the fifth floor of Selangor MACC office at Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam in July 2009.
"Will Ahmad Sarbani be the last? I sincerely hope that it will be the last time that we come together in making this demand for action to be taken by the government," said Liau.
Suaram president Kua Kia Soong reiterated calls which have been made since 2003 following findings of an RCI that recommended the formation of an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.
He said there has been a clear lack of political will in implementing necessary changes, among others, installing recording devices in places where interrogations are conducted.
Human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen stressed the importance for witnesses to engage legal representation, or inform their family about their whereabouts before going in to give any statements.
Also present were All Women's Action Society (Awam) deputy president Ho Yock Lin, human rights communication centre KOMAS co-founder Tan Jo Hann and Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia core group member A Jayanath.
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