CCTVs for all MACC offices
(The Star) PETALING JAYA: Closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) will be installed at all Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission offices in a move to make it more transparent.
MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner Datuk Abu Kassim Mohamed said CCTVs would also be installed in rooms used to question witnesses.
He said he had directed all MACC offices to have the CCTVs installed and record the questioning process, adding that this was to ensure MACC had evidence that a case was properly handled.
“The issue is not how we handle the witnesses but whether things are recorded properly. “We should take care or monitor whoever enters our offices. We are taking more precautions to ensure this,” he said during The Star Online Live Chat and interview at Studio V in One Utama Shopping Centre yesterday.
Abu Kassim said that any future complaints could be rebutted via recordings taken by MACC.
He was responding to questions on what preventive measures were being taken to assure witnesses were safe and to prevent another Teoh Beng Hock case from recurring.
(Teoh, the political secretary to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was summoned to the state MACC office located at the 14th floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on July 15, to be questioned about alleged irregular disbursement of state funds.
He was found dead on the fifth floor the following day.)
Abu Kassim said they were also pushing for a ‘whistle blowers’ Act to protect those who lodge complaints against a government agency or department.
“Now we can only secure their safety by not revealing their details if they are giving information to us as an informant,” he noted.
On whether lawyers should be allowed to be present during questioning, Abu Kassim said studies were being done and comparisons being made with other countries and law enforcement agencies.
Abu Kassim said plans were underway to clear all misconceptions caused by improper dissemination of information.
He said it was not easy to get evidence in a corruption case which “is a victimless crime as both parties are happy.”
Investigations, he said, were kept low profile to prevent it from being compromised.
“So when you blast the case in public, you put fear in the witnesses,” he said.
Abu Kassim said Selangor MACC officers might have suffered some psychological impact following Teoh’s case as they too were saddened by what had happened and were now having to deal with the inquest.
“In view of the situation there, I have directed the Investigations director (Datuk Shukri Abdull) to take over some cases to allow the Selangor MACC officers to concentrate on the inquest and (upcoming) royal commission.”
On keeping the questioning time within office hours, Abu Kassim said they would be “more than happy to” but it would only be done at the witness’ request or after obtaining their consent.
