Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) expresses its condolences to the grieving family of Customs officer Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed who died tragically at the MACC building in Jalan Cochrane.
TI-M calls for an independent, transparent and speedy inquiry into the death of Ahmad Sarbani. The inquiry should also cover MACC’s current standard procedures, processes and guidelines for the investigation of cases of corruption. Any person in MACC’s care, be they a witness, suspect or visitor, must be accorded fundamental protection at all times.
TI-M urges the immediate implementation of recommendations and proposals of the MACC complaints committee chaired by former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Noor Abdullah in its recommendations dated March 31, 2011, such as interrogation rooms placed at the lobby or basement area to prevent untoward incidents; and closed circuit television cameras at the interrogation and waiting rooms. This is to prevent allegations of rough tactics used in interrogation and any untowardly incidents.
The tragic death of Ahmad Sarbani should not in any way undermine ongoing investigations following the recent raids and arrests conducted by the MACC involving Customs officers.
TI-M strongly urges the MACC to investigate without fear or favour and act on all parties including any Big Fish involved in corrupt practices. The ongoing joint operation investigating Customs and the Freight Forwarding industry must continue without outside influence or interference. As reported by the MACC, preliminary investigations reveal billions of ringgit is lost annually from under declaration of imported goods and money laundering activity.
Issued by
Datuk Paul Low
President, Transparency International Malaysia
