ALOR GAJAH, 25 Nov 2009: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) does not dismiss the possibility of facing constraints in its investigations following a new directive confining interrogation of witnesses to office hours.
Investigation division director Datuk Shukri Abdull said he had issued the directive himself to all MACC offices for their interrogation of witnesses to be confined to the working hours of 8:30am to 5:30pm.
He was met by reporters after attending the closing of a course for 127 MACC officers officiated by MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan at a resort here today.
Shukri was asked to comment on media reports that effective last Thursday, the MACC was not allowed to investigate witnesses after office hours, unlike previously.
This followed the historic judgement of Kuala Lumpur High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, which ruled that detaining a witness for interrogation beyond office hours was wrongful detention under the law.
Shukri said they would wait for three months to see the effects of the new directive on the MACC’s investigation process.
“However, I understand that the Attorney-General will appeal against the High Court’s decision,” he said.
Shukri said the MACC would continue to receive reports or complaints from the public after office hours.
“Previously, we had been working round the clock, including interrogating witnesses and taking down their statements; 90% of our work involve witnesses,” he added. — Bernama
