Macc works round the clock like police – Official

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KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) acting assistant commissioner told the Commission of Inquiry into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock that the MACC worked 24 hours, just like the Royal Malaysian Police.

Hairul Ilham Hamzah said this when questioned by MACC’s counsel Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah during yesterday’s proceeding.

The commission’s 22nd witness said it was normal for MACC officers to work in their office rooms from morning till late night.

Asked by counsel on the situation and condition on the night of July 15, 2009 and the early morning of July 16, he said it was a busy time as a number of witnesses were called, but after midnight there only three witnesses left; Teoh Beng Hock, Kajang municipal councillor Tan Boon Wah and contractor Lee Wai Weng (male), who arrived one hour later.

Teoh, 30, the political aide of Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor corridor of Plaza Masalam after giving his statement to the Selangor MACC office which is located on the 14th floor of the building.

Asked for his opinion by Muhammad Shafee whether the frontal and back photograph of a witness should be taken before questioning or interviewing him, Hairul Ilham agreed but it should take into consideration the witness’s sensitivity, and would be good if the witness was of high risk.

He also agreed with counsel’s suggestion that the witness be informed of the estimated time to be taken to record the interview late into the night.

“I also agree that the witness be allowed to contact his family members about his situation,” he said.

Asked by counsel whether each MACC officer was allowed to carry a firearm in an operation, he said they were all allowed to carry firearms but only for certain operations.

He also said that the use of firearms by them could only be approved by MACC director Datuk Ja’afar Mahad.

The inquiry panel, headed by Federal Court judge Tan Sri James Foong Cheng Yuen, also comprises former Federal Court judge Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman, former Appeals Court judge Datuk T.S.Nathan, Penang Hospital Forensic Pathology consultant Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh, and Forensic Psychiatry consultant and dean of the Medical Faculty of Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences, Prof Dr Mohamed Hatta Shaharom.— Bernama