KUALA LUMPUR: The lawyer representing the family of Datin Seri Pamela Ling, who was allegedly abducted while on her way to provide a statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, is questioning if graft-busters took sufficient measures to ensure her safety.
"If Ling was providing information in the course of an active MACC probe, she may have possessed material or sensitive information that could have placed her in a vulnerable position," said lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo in a statement on Monday (May 5).
"If MACC recognised this potential risk, did they alert the police to this possibility at the earliest opportunity to ensure that appropriate lines of inquiry could be pursued?" she asked.
Sangeet also said initial investigations found that the e-hailing car Ling was in had completed its journey, suggesting she had arrived at or was near the MACC building in Putrajaya.
"She was believed to have been intercepted by several unidentified vehicles shortly after.
"This indicates that she was either being followed or that someone knew she was en route to the MACC to give a statement," she said.
Sangeet questioned if MACC anticipated or detected any such risk and disclosing this to the police would have been critical in efforts to locate her when time was of the essence.
"Did the police actively examine the possibility that her disappearance could be linked to the investigation or to any individuals or entities implicated?" she asked.
Sangeet also said that the MACC should have lodged a missing persons report when a person assisting investigations into offences under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 and the MACC Act 2009 goes missing.
Sangeet also said the police's statement that there were no leads in the case was unacceptable.
"Her family has cooperated with the authorities and continues to provide all information in their possession.
"The family has been transparent and proactive. The same is expected from the MACC and the police," she said in a statement on Monday (May 5).
"We seek clarification from MACC and the police," she said.
News portals also reported that Ling's lawyer, N. Sivananthan, claimed he had seen a police report filed by the e-hailing driver transporting Ling.
He said the driver claimed his car was intercepted just before reaching the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
The driver also claimed three cars were involved and a man wearing a police vest and a woman in police uniform got out and asked Ling to follow them.
On Friday (May 2), Ling's brother, Simon Ling Wan Siong, said that his sister was allegedly abducted in Kuala Lumpur while on her way to meet officers from MACC.
On Sunday (May 4), it was reported that there has been no ransom demand linked to Ling's disappearance.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the investigation into her disappearance is ongoing.
"We have not received any new leads yet but the investigation is ongoing.
"We have recorded the statements of 12 individuals, including MACC officers and the victim's lawyer," he said.
