PETALING JAYA: Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad has questioned the conduct of the ongoing investigation involving the missing Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh.
He stressed that under existing legal procedures, once a suspect has been arrested, remanded, and their statements recorded, the law does not permit further statement-taking in the same capacity, unless the individual is reclassified as a witness and the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) gives express consent.
He emphasised that the MACC Act and established legal standards require that arrests only be made when there is sufficient evidence to justify formal charges.
Arresting individuals prematurely while investigations are still ongoing, he said, could undermine the rule of law and the principles of justice.
“The MACC should follow its precedent, such as in the case of former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, who was a suspect but never arrested. His statement was recorded without the need for a remand,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 7).
He also cited the case of entrepreneur Vivy Yusof, who, despite being a suspect, was not arrested during the investigation phase and was only brought to court once charges were formally filed.
“These examples reflect a more lawful and proportionate approach that should be applied consistently,” he said.
Dzulkifli added that the sequence of events in Ling’s case raises serious questions about the procedural integrity of the investigation.
“It is imperative that enforcement agencies strictly adhere to due process and legal safeguards to ensure that no individual’s rights are violated in the name of investigation,” he said.
On April 9, Ling was summoned to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya to assist with an investigation under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.
However, she reportedly went missing while on her way to the appointment. Her lawyer filed a police report regarding her disappearance on the same day.
