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No. 4805 PP 2644/12/2009 (023092)

Monday
July 20, 2009
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pg17
Emmy nods

MACC’s procedures questioned

by Karen Arukesamy
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: A member of the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory
panel has joined the chorus of public outrage at
the death of Teoh Beng Hock, questioning the
commission’s interrogation procedures.
Tan Sri Robert Phang, who revealed that the
panel will meet on Thursday to discuss the case,
said: “If a person has been detained and inter-
rogated for more than six hours, past midnight
and right up to early in the morning, I view this as
abuse of power.
MACC office, the officer should have got someone
to keep him company or to keep an eye on him
(Teoh) as a precaution and enter this in the station
How drug
firm got
log,” he said.
Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, who chairs one
of the MACC’s five advisory panels, on Friday
called for an urgent review of its interrogation
procedures. The chairman of the Prevention
of Corruption and Consultation Panel, said he
was “disturbed and very upset” that the MACC
resorted to interrogating people until late into the
night and early next morning.
He said: “The investigation would have ended
well before midnight to allow the deceased to rest

“The procedures were totally not adhered to,
leading to this guy (Teoh) being left alone to sleep
in the office, (it) is totally unacceptable.”
Teoh, 30, the political aide of Seri Kembangan
assemblyman and Selangor executive councillor
Ean-Yong Hian Wah, was interrogated for 11 hours
and released at 3.45am on Thursday. He was
found dead on a Level 5 landing of Plaza Masalam,
Section 9, Shah Alam, where the MACC office is
located on the 14th floor at 1.30pm.
Speaking to theSun in a telephone interview,
Phang said no one would be allowed to be inter-
rogated for more than 24 hours and even if there
was a need, permission must be obtained from a
tourism job
before continuing the next morning. No normal
person can stand mental and physical pressure
of this kind.”
He also called for a full and open public inquiry
to seek the truth of the circumstances under which
Teoh died. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for
my MACC panel to perform better as disturbing
events like Teoh’s death will further aggravate
the poor perception of the MACC’s performance,
despite the dedicated work of most of its officers,”
Bernama quoted him as saying.
by Tim Leonard was through an open tender,” said Ng.
Phang said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hisham-
newsdesk@thesundaily.com “The allegations are baseless, and
muddin Hussein has given an assurance that he
absolutely untrue. But we welcome any
would ensure a thorough and fair investigation.
ETALING JAYA: The Tourism Minis-

P
magistrate to extend the detention.
Selangor CPO Datuk Khalid (Abu Bakar) has also
try has denied any “political link” in the
“The officer in assured the public that nothing will be hidden,
awarding of a RM19 million contract
charge could he said.
to a drug company to build the “Ma-
have sent “I thank them both for the assurance to us and
laysia Pavilion” for the 2010 World Expo in
him back the public. I am sure the police will double their
Shanghai.
or if he efforts to get it done as soon as possible,” he said.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen
( Te o h ) “All of us must remain calm to allow the probe
Yen said the multi-million ringgit contract
o p t e d to progress
was awarded to Venturepharm Asia Sdn
to sleep smoothly.”
Bhd via an open tender and the process
in the
was carried out in a clear and transparent
manner.
She also denied the ministry had “helped”
the company to win the contract for the
construction of “Type 1” pavilion based on
the theme “Harmonised City Living” for
Malaysia’s participation in the expo.
She said in a phone interview that the
ministry would fully cooperate with the
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission
(MACC), which is investigating the contract,
should the need arises.
MACC Assistant The MACC started investigation
Commissioner Chuah following a complaint. A senior commission
Chang Man extends his official told theSun that the complainant
condolences to Teoh’s raised several serious allegations on the
mother Cheong Sui way the contract was awarded.
Hua in her home in Alor “As far as we are concerned, the com-
Gajah yesterday. » More reports Page 3 pany complied with all MoF (Ministry of
Finance) requirements and the contract
probe by the MACC and will fully cooper-
ate,” she said.
theSun learnt that MACC is focusing its
investigation on how the company, which
registered the nature of its business with
the Companies Commission of Malaysia
as “engaged in research and development
and marketing of pharmaceutical products”
could get a contract to carry out exhibition
work for the Tourism Ministry.
Venturepharm Asia’s alleged political
links were brought up in Parliament last
month when an opposition MP claimed that
two Taiwan citizens were granted perma-
nent resident status because of their close
association with certain politicians.
Wee Choo Keong (PKR-Bukit Bintang)
said Chen Oyan Yun Shai, 53, and her son
Chin Fook Kwon, 24, are “very powerful
people” as they could secure government
contracts or projects.
He told the Dewan Rakyat when debat-
ing the Internal Revenue Board amendment
bill that the two set up many companies
in Malaysia using nominees or their own
names as shareholders or directors.
Citing Daro Worldwide Sdn Bhd and
Venturepharm Asia as among the com-
panies, Wee said Chen was also given a
mobile clinic contract.