If Pigs Had Wings Sarawak Report Is The Gospel

Hantu Laut

It's all so easy for Sarawak Report to get confidential information, not only from the MACC but also the highly respected ICAC of Hong Kong.

If pigs could fly than Sarawak Report is the Gospel. Sadly, for some, they believe it is the Gospel.

Maybe, the ICAC should clear the air whether it is their practice to release in-house confidential to the public of cases where no charges have been brought against those suspected to be involved in a crime.

How was it possible that confidential information and documents can leak from the MACC office, Are some MACC officers on the take by selling information, travestying the very embodiment of its creation, the fight against corruptions.

If it's true, it certainly a big embarrassment to this country and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak that an organisation formed to fight corruption is well into the same vice themselves.

Sarawak Report proudly declared here that the information they came into possession came from the MACC and of late from the highly respected ICAC.

Sarawak Report and Radio Free Sarawak, created and controlled by a foreigner, one Clare Rewcastle Brown, former BBC world service reporter and sister-in-law of former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown under the pretext of her concern for the forests and natives of Sarawak.

The creation and clear and ultimate objective of Sarawak Report was to topple Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud from power in the 2011 State Elections which they failed miserably.Taib still managed to retain two-thirds majority and proved wrong the doomsayers who predicted his imminent defeat.

Frustrated with their failure in Sarawak they are now turning to other states in Malaysia to do the opposition's bidding.

It's all quiet on the opposition's front on MACC divulgence as it did not involve any of its members, which, otherwise, would have them rattling the cage.

I am not sure about MACC but I don't think the highly respected ICAC would release such information for public consumption when no charges are forthcoming against the named person, let alone dispensing it to an anonymous political blog like Sarawak Report, founded and controlled by a frustrated Briton, one Clare Brown who has no business poking her nose into Malaysian politics, other than her desire of keeping the Penans of Sarawak as novelties of the forests and trinketry of tourism, where she and her Occidents can view them in their natural habitats.

Both MACC and Sarawak Report should be investigated.

Declaration Of Assets:Keeping The Lid On The Pandora's Box

Hantu Laut

The Prime Minister should not buckle to some of the opposition's ridiculous demands.

Ministers should only declare their assets to the PM and no one else.To declare assets to MACC is ridiculous and dangerous, particularly, to those who has substantial liquid assets.Should there be a leak of confidentiality it would be more difficult to trace from which source the leak came from.

If the state of Penang wanted to implement this stupid idea to show off, let them be.It is just a political ploy to hoodwink the people that they would be better government.

I have seen what happened in the Philippines and Indonesia.Every succeeding government that promised to end corruption helped themselves to the same thing.Malaysia, believe me, is not going be different, it's likely to be even worse, we'll have a whole new collection of hungry crocodiles.

I have not heard of any country demanding minister's family and relatives to declare their assets. This is another absurd and stupid idea. Some ministers may already have some substantially rich family members that would make it very uncomfortable and unsafe to disclose their wealth to others.Kidnapping for ransom is still a lucrative trade in this country.Junior civil servants have been know to sell information for money.Do not rule out the probability of this happening.

There are many ways one can hide one's ill gotten gains and the crooks would know how to work the system to their advantage.It would be pointless to legislate law that would soon be redundant.

It falls on the MACC to investigate any minister or civil servant suspected of corruptions, on a case to case basis.The MACC argument is deeply flawed and an attempt to make live easier for them.If such proposal is put into practice than the MACC would have no investigative work to do. They would just have to compare notes without any serious effort to investigate the case thoroughly.

MACC can always request copy of asset's declaration from the PM's office on any minister suspected of corrupt practices.Declaration of assets by cabinet ministers to the prime minister has always been in practice.

I do not agree with former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir, Chua Soi Lek and Mukhriz Mahathir on their support of the proposal.

Only office holder should declare assets. The practice of requiring minister's family to declare assets would seal the Pandora's box even more tightly.Crooked ministers would find other avenues to stash their ill gotten gains making investigation even more difficult.

The Political Circus

Hantu Laut

The RCI (Royal Commission of Inquiry) concluded that Teoh Beng Hock committed suicide as a result of aggressive and continuous interrogation by the MACC.Story here.

The family of Teoh Beng Hock rejected the verdict and is now requesting a judicial review,in all probability, advised by the family lawyer who also happened to be a prominent opposition politician.

“The RCI is an inferior tribunal in law and any decision made by an inferior tribunal is reviewable by the High Court.” Karpal, who is also DAP chairman, said he is studying the RCI report “line by line” to decide on the next course of action, which will be made known early next week.

They condemned the RCI as an inferior tribunal when they were the ones who demanded for it.

How do you deal with these kind of people, they twist and turn to their fancies, not showing concern for the bereaved family but for their own political mileage.

First they rejected the inquest and asked for RCI, which the government eventually agreed and allowed it to take place.Now, they are not happy with the verdict and want to carry on the crusade at the expense of the Teo's family for the benefits of politics.......Pakatan politics!

Enough is enough, the government should not allow these political opportunists to capitalise on a dead man's family misery to gain political mileage.

The government should close the case and take appropriate action against the MACC officers instrumental for the death of Teo.

From the finding of the RCI it is obvious those officers have a case to answer.

Teoh Beng Hock's RCI report - English (pdf download)

Malaysian Graft Probers Caused Political Aide's Suicide

Aide hounded to death, royal commission finds

Opposition party political aide Teoh Beng Hock, whose death in Kuala Lumpur two years ago ignited suspicion that he had been murdered by Anti-Corruption Commission officers, was actually hounded to his death, a Royal Commission of Inquiry announced Thursday.

The suicide death of the then-30 year-old Teoh, who was engaged to be married to his pregnant girlfriend, set off a firestorm in Malaysia’s minority Chinese community. He was found dead on July 16, 2009, on the fifth floor of a building next to the MACC headquarters after being questioned overnight at the Selangor MACC headquarters. He is believed to thrown himself out of a window of the MACC building after being granted a break from questioning.

A second death in April of a 56-year-old customs assistant director named Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed, who was said to have thrown himself out of a third-floor window of the MACC headquarters, has raised more concerns about the agency’s interrogation techniques.

Teoh was called into the MACC headquarters in the middle of the night to be interrogated as a material witness into alleged irregularities in the disbursement of Selangor government funds by his employer, Assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah. As it turned out, Ean was later cleared of any charges of wrongdoing.

An autopsy ordered by the opposition to be performed by the flamboyant Thai pathologist, Porntip Rojanasunand, concluded that the aide had been murdered. Porntip’s autopsy was discarded by the royal commission as erroneous, however. And although the royal commission finding supports government officials’ explanation of the tragedy, the inquiry determined that the suicide was the result of continuous and aggressive questioning by MACC officials.

Three MACC officers were found to have continuously used interrogation tactics that were agresif dan tidak wajar (aggressive, inappropriate) and therefore in violation of the regulations, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Aziz told a press conference in the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur Thursday. The three officers are former Selangor investigations unit head Hishammudin Hashim, investigation officer Mohd Anuar Ismail and assistant superintendent Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus.

“The MACC conducted investigations following information that a Selangor executive councillor and assemblyperson was involved in false allocation claims for his own party interest,” Nazri told reporters. “Teoh was supposed to be the key witness for MACC which investigated the allegation involving the DAP executive councilor. MACC's investigation mounted pressure on Teoh to make a confession as evidence.”

The MACC officials did not intend to cause Teoh’s death, Nazri said. "He felt pressured and stressed as a result of continuous interrogation techniques." Nazri said that "appropriate action will be taken against those officers involved who went against MACC procedure based on the rules and laws already in place."

The commissioners' conclusion that Teoh had committed suicide was strengthened by psychiatric findings by forensic psychiatrist Paul Edward Mullen, who was engaged by the Bar Council that Teoh was "weak in character."

"Having considered all the evidence in its entirety, we found that Teoh was driven to commit suicide by the aggressive, relentless, oppressive and unscrupulous interrogation to which he was subjected by certain officers of the MACC who were involved in the ongoing operation by the Selangor MACC on the night of the 15th and into the morning of the 16th," the report concluded.

Nazri said the commissioners, who were unanimous in their decision, have recommended that MACC's interrogation procedures be reviewed.

He added that the government is saddened by the incident that took Teoh's life and gave a commitment that appropriate action will be taken against the officers who had flaunted the procedures. He also urged interested parties, including Teoh's family, to put an end to the “episode” with the report out in public.

Besides concluding the circumstances surrounding Teoh's death, the RCI panel was also entrusted to look into MACC's interrogation procedures. It was recommended that the anti-graft authority review its entrance qualifications, upgrade infrastructure and public facilities and revamp its training schemes. Read more.

Disgraceful! MACC Put it Under Parliament Or Shut It Down

Hantu Laut

So what is it? A jinx!, a serial killer!, suicide!, the guy was bumped off to stop him from giving evidence that may expose an even bigger scam involving more senior officers of the department, or a plot to bring down the government. Another death in the MACC here.

By now Malaysians should open their eyes and see how dangerous this organisation can become if they are given more power or are given arbitrary power to arrest and the power to charge suspects in court. Obviously, they are amateurs, lacking the skills to do police work. Bunch of unschooled lads who can't handle power.No-brainers that use physical force rather than persuasive interrogation methods to extract information from accused person.

Although, I believe the MACC has nothing to do with his death, the fact that he died on the premises under mysterious circumstances is enough to lacerate the department and public confidence.

It's about time the government seriously consider putting the MACC directly under Parliament.

Two down and one more to go.

One more death in the MACC than the organisation should be shut down and a new one form with a completely new management and made directly answerable to Parliament.

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

Hantu Laut

The Parliamentary Select Committee on corruption must be out of their minds to suggest that more powers must be given to the MACC, particularly the power to prosecute.

There have been many complaints of MACC's Gestapo style interrogations against accused persons.A "carte blanche" could become extremely dangerous and could open doors to abuses and corruptions.

The MPs should not in their over zealousness of wanting to be seen to spring clean corruptions unconsciously create another monster that can go out of control.There have been one or two cases reported so far of MACC officers demanding bribes to close the file on an accused person.We may close one evil's box and open another.

In a civil society there must be check and balance, no one should be given absolute power, not MACC, not the Police and not the AG.There must be separation of responsibility to ensure justice prevails at all level.The Police and MACC investigate, the AG prosecutes and the Judiciary purveys justice.

We inherited a good system from the British and there is absolutely no reason to change what is not broken.The MACC should stay as an investigative body and the power to prosecute stays with the AG.Such arrangement stifle abuses of power and corruptions.

We should not be too enthusiastic to copy the ICAC of Hong Kong without looking at the history of its formation.

The ICAC was an offspring of the very corrupt Hong Kong police force which used to have an Anti-Corruption Branch within the force.Due to it ineffectiveness and suspected collusion with corrupt officers the then British Colonial government of Hong Kong disbanded the department and created the independent ICAC, reporting directly to the Governor, now the Chief Executive.

The ICAC was created primarily to clamp down on corruptions within government departments and the Hong Kong police force.

With the economic boom after World War II Hong Kong was awashed with money but the civil servants were poorly paid, thereby, resorting to corruptions to supplement their incomes.The ICAC, in its earlier days swoop down on entire police station and taking everyone in for questioning.

The MACC should employ the same shock tactic used by the ICAC against police officers suspected of corruption.

The Hong Kong ICAC has fair share of corruptions involving some of its officers but has since evolved to become one of the most effective anti-corruption agencies.

As Lord Acton said " absolute power corrupts absolutely." it would be negligent of Parliament to give absolute power to anyone.

Let the "status quo" stays.

Damned If You Do Damned If You Don't

Hantu Laut

I must congratulate the Prime Minister for making the right decision on the Teoh Beng Hock case and as I have suggested earlier to look into the internal workings of the MACC and the Police too.

The opposition must have been caught by surprise as they have secretly wished Najib would not agree to the formation of a Royal Commission which undoubtedly will make him more unpopular.He did the right thing.Their wish didn't come through.Now, look what they are trying to do.They are raving mad and accused BN of leading Teoh's family up the garden path.Read what that shit-stirrer Lim Kit Siang says here.

His headline screamed:

Teoh Beng Hock’s death – Cabinet decision on Royal Commission of Inquiry falls far short of public expectation, unsatisfactory and unacceptable

Whose expectation Kit Siang, yours and your Pakatan minions or the public ?

Still not happy, shit-stirring, stoking fire and steering the people in the wrong direction.He is venomous and dangerous.This man needs help.

Nice try Mr Lim.You are exothermic and dangerous.Your burning desire to bring UMNO and the BN down is not going to happen. In your eyes full of hatred anything the BN do can't be right and that the extent of you madness.Damned if you and damned if you don't.

For you to suggest that Tungku Aziz Ibrahim (my ex-form teacher) of DAP be made head of the Commission is absolutely ridiculous.Members of the Commission should come from a mixture of prominent people, ordinary citizens and if necessary some from any of the commonwealth countries.All should not have any political affiliation to any political parties in Malaysia.

Eddy, a regular commentator to this blog has suggested a few names which I think is good.They are:

Royal Professor Ungku Aziz
Emeritus Professor Khoo Kay Kim
Former Judge NH Chan
Former Attorney General Abu Talib

Those are just few names.The government can cast the net wider to find the right people who are neutral and impartial.

What happened at the MACC is what the opposition have always wanted, that the anti-corruption agency be made more independent and given wider powers.This is the result of former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi giving in to demands of the opposition, a new anti-corruption agency with wider powers to arrest, detain, interrogate and bash you up if needs be.Unfortunately, they do it under their own whim and fancy.This is what can happen when power falls into the wrong hand.Badawi must have unknowingly created a monster.

The government should pass a law making it compulsory for the MACC and Police to conduct all interrogations under camera.All interrogations must be video taped and formed as part of the evidence if called for.A law should also be passed to set the maximum length of time a person can be put under interrogation.This is to protect the innocent.The criminal minds and the hardcore will not crumple under extreme torture, it is always the innocent that succumb to such method.

Najib's next job, to reform these two agencies and make them more professionals and respected by society.

In Need Of Major Overhaul

Hantu Laut

It's about time Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak take a serious look inside the workings of both enforcement agencies, the Malaysian Police and the MACC (Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission).

The MACC over zealousness of probing into the conduct of opposition politicians on the flimsiest of complain and keep their eyes shut on corrupt BN leaders is throwing spanner in the works.Najib good work will eventually come to naught if these selective persecutions are allowed to continue.The MACC must be seen to be fair and carry out their work without fear or favour.

As of now they are seen as secret police of the government which goes entirely against the purpose of its formation.People's perception, real or imagine, can make or destroy a government.

Both agencies seriously need major overhaul in mindset

Below is part of Najib's inauguration speech:

"In the coming weeks, I will be consulting with people around our country, as I begin to reshape the leadership and priorities of the Government. I am mindful that we should build on the successes and lessons of the past. It must be a government with new approaches for new times – a government that places a priority on performance, because the people must come first".

"I am aware that the people expect me to do certain things. Please judge me by my actions. My actions will come in due course."

The Prime Minister is trying his best to reach out to the people and he must not let these two agencies spoil his efforts.

We Want The Real McCoy, Sir!

Hantu Laut

The engines of reform are going full speed ahead to show the nation that the main ruling party is dead serious about making change.Suddenly, there is an all out war against corruption. A senior supreme council member of UMNO is going to be charged for corruptions and money politics. They have not named him yet but was said to have come from Pahang. For those familiar with the internal politics of UMNO it would not be too difficult to narrow down the names to know who the person is.

Taking a no nonsense approach in tackling corruptions it must clean up its house first and bring to book those caught in the net. Seems like a lot of ikan bilis (anchovies) and maybe one or two sharks.Is there some kind of witch-hunt going on?

True to UMNO style, some complained of selective persecution and one official said "If they really want to clean up, they must be fair to every one and that would mean all of us would be going behind bars and the party left only with the rank and file".Also true to UMNO style, selective persecution has always been there to keep the overly ambitious ones in line.

It is a well known fact that almost every one at the top of the party hierarchy have got skeletons in the closet. Only the degree varied, some took more than others, some are smarter and wouldn't be caught so easily and some are arrogantly bodoh (stupid) and get caught.Corruption is corruption, big or small, those caught must face the music. Those living beyond their means must also be investigated.

From where should they start the cleaning process, top to bottom or bottom to top ? What they are doing now seems to be more bottom than top.

Can UMNO afford to carry on cleaning up the party when it is already in such a precarious situation? That answer is better left to PM-designate Najib Tun Razak.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said “The law of the country is the law of the country. No one can escape from it,”commenting on the arrests of 12 individuals in Pahang.Those arrested were reportedly to have received RM300 to RM500 to help a senior politician to secure a supreme council seat in the March 2009 party elections.

Is the general public interested or impressed with the catching of these ikan bilis. I think not, and it is not going to change the public perception. The Malaysian public wanted action against those that raped this country of hundreds of million in kickbacks, commissions and abandoned/sub-standard projects where millions of taxpayers money went to waste or went to the wrong pockets.They want the real McCoy, not those receiving paltry sums.Otherwise, the MACC would be made a mockery of and a lame duck.

UMNO can clean up its own house but must not forget that the MACC should be independent and should act accordingly if there were suspicions of corrupt practices, without waiting for someone to report it. It should , from time to time, look into the lifestyle of any leader, politician, civil servant and their families to determine whether they are living beyond their means.The MACC must have its own initiative to conduct investigations on their own even against the PM if there were report of wrongdoings and justification to initiate an investigation.

Give us the real McCoy.