Mind analysis courses
By Farrah Naz Karim, NST
MACC takes steps to train officers on investigation procedure.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission investigation officers will undergo courses on psychoanalysis to better assess the state of mind of witnesses during interviews.
They will also relook the duration a witness or a suspect is held for investigations.
These are among some of the immediate measures being put in place after the report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock was made public yesterday.
The report stated that Teoh was driven to suicide and it also highlighted several shortcomings in MACC’s handling of witnesses.
Commenting on the findings of the RCI, a senior MACC investigating officer admitted there were flaws in their standard operating procedure but stressed they could not make outright changes that could jeopardise their role as an anti-graft body.
“Some of our officers do not know enough experience to gauge the state of mind of witnesses, as shown in Teoh’s case.
“That is why we are now determined to include courses on psychoanalysis in the training module.” He said said some officers did not realise witnesses get stressed out after prolonged hours of interviewing.
“They feel that the witness is holding back information and in their zest to get that information out, they forget that the witness is not as resilient as they are.
“This is where the problem arises,” he said.
“Then there is the risk that if a witness is released without providing the necessary information, he may jeopardise investigations by making contact with the suspect later.
“This would give the suspect the edge as he could dispose of the evidence or alter his story.
“Do we let the witness go and stop asking him pertinent and crucial questions simply because he is tired? “At the end of the day, it is also the responsibility of the MACC to protect the interests of the public.” He explained under the MACC SOP for interviewing witnesses, they first contact the witness through the phone and give them the time and venue of the meeting.
However, the source said 80 per cent of witnesses who were contacted were not cooperative.
“In such cases, the commission will issue them a notice, compelling them to turn up,” he said.
The source insisted that MACC investigating officers would not rough up witnesses.
“Our IOs have been trained to withstand long hours of investigation, but as human beings, if they are seen to be agitated and losing patience with a witness, another officer will take ove r. ” Through its SOP, the officers are also trained to use their discretion when dealing with witnesses and would not deny them breaks.
In cases where witnesses needed to be examined by a doctor, MACC would bring them for treatment.
