MACC proposed special room equipped with CCTV for witness

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is proposed to create a special room for the examination of witnesses and recording the statement, which has equipment of closed circuit television (CCTV), so the investigation can be carried comfortably.

MACC also need to identify and specify criteria for defining the inquiry in terms of time setting, convenience of witnesses and officers without interrupt the investigations.

The proposed improvements are among the eight recommendations contained in inspection reports of death related inquiry procedure Teoh Beng Hock, MACC Complaints Committee, chaired by former Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah.

Complaints Committee established to monitor the handling of complaints regarding misconduct against the MACC officers, as well as to identify weaknesses in procedures that may cause complaints; and make recommendations on work procedures, if deemed fit and proper.

Committee established since February last year that also comprises the former Deputy Secretary General of the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Muhammad Mohd Noor, former Director General of the Public Complaints Bureau Datuk Wan Abdul Wahab Abdullah, Solicitor and Advocate of Messrs Chooi & Co.

Chooi Mun Sou serta Peguamcara dan Peguambela dari VM Ravi & Associates V. Chooi Mun Soul and Solicitor and Advocate of the VM V. Ravi & Associates Ravindran. Ravindran.

The report also suggested that the investigation look into the factor of health, comfort and safety of witnesses and the responsibility of officers to testify until the witness left the premises of the MACC.

MACC also have to develop aspects of physical security such as fencing equipment, installation of grille, security guards and CCTV equipment to ensure worker safety, as well as increasing equipment and logistics requirements in terms of computer facilities to the proposed construction of the complex aspects of the MACC to ensure comfort, security and confidentiality.

In addition, the MACC urged to improve and update the Standing Orders of the Commissioner-General of the handling procedures and signed a witness statement in accordance with the requirements of the investigation and review, review and adapt the procedure of examining witnesses, law enforcement agencies in countries like Hong Kong.

MACC also need to provide comprehensive and intensive training courses for officers to develop skills and expertise in the implementation of the investigation, the report said.

The report submitted to the Chief Commissioner of MACC Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed, together with the Annual Report of Complaints Committee of the MACC in 2009.

Inspection procedures, investigations carried out since July of last year also set the eight terms of reference of the review of whether the MACC has guidelines on aspects of handling and recording witness statements, and decide whether the officer has complied with guidelines on handling witnesses and record statements in the case.

It will also check whether the MACC has guidelines in carrying out examination of the witness (the interrogation), check whether the law allows officers to check and record the answers the witness before the actual process of signing statements, and evaluate the urgency of the investigation in a witness statement signed until late morning.

It also determines whether a witness who obtained permission to return home but choose to stay at the premises of the MACC is the responsibility of the MACC, assess the level of comfort and witnesses through the process of investigation at the premises of the MACC and logistics equipment review and evaluate the physical security of the premises of the MACC.

During the news conference after the ceremony, Mohd Noor declined to comment further on the inspection report of the investigation, the inquest respecting the death of Teoh case going on at this time.

Teoh, 30, who is political secretary to Selangor Exco member, Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the floor five Masalam Plaza, Shah Alam, on July 16, 2009 after giving a statement about the alleged misuse of the provisions of the state government in Selangor at the MACC office building.