Karpal ridicules IGP’s ‘bizarre’ statement
Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh ridiculed the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan’s statement that if the police are forced to stop questioning witnesses after office hours, it is tantamount to asking the police station to close at 5pm.
Musa added “if that is the case, then those who want to lodge police reports after hours can see Karpal.”
The verbal exchange followed the High Court’s stunning rebuff to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) by ruling that it has no right to question witnesses in an investigation beyond normal office hours, that is, from 8.30am to 5.30pm.
Judicial Commissioner (JC) Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof stressed that the meaning of the phrase “day to day” as laid down in Section 30(3)(a) of the MACC Act – which is at the core of the dispute between Tan and the MACC – “cannot mean round the clock” investigation, which includes recording statements from the witness.
Mohamad Ariff explained that to do so would “offend the legislative purpose” and limit the fundamental liberties of a person, which are clearly laid down in the Federal Constitution, under Article 5, and which the Federal Court had recently upheld must be interpreted in the “widest sense” possible.
The veteran lawyer said that the Musa had missed the point when making the statement.
“The question is not whether witnesses, including victims, voluntarily come forward after office hours to have their statements recorded. The question is whether, in law, they are required to do so, and whether the police can compel them to do so.
“Tan Sri Musa Hassan appears to be thoroughly confused in his approach to the issue,” he told reporters during a press conference in Parliament here.
Karpal explained that Rule 20 of the Lock-up Rules (1953) states that the rest time for suspects is between 6.30pm and 6.30am and therefore they cannot be interrogated during these hours.
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