Thesun 2009-07-20 Page12 Let The Truth Be Told

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speak up!

IT IS well past midnight. Terence Fernandez and I are holed up in a cubicle in central London which is costing us RM500 a night to rest our heads and he goes on a tirade: “We have to take some responsibility for this. We supported the MACC Bill arguing that something is better than nothing and look what has happened?” Because of the time difference (seven hours) he had earlier filed his commentary on the state of affairs in the graft-busting exercise. His outburst was understandable. Hours earlier, our phones had been buzzing with calls and messages including one which touched my conscience: “The MACC has a dead body on its hands. What say you?” Terence was given a gentle reminder that it would be a fallacy to pass judgment when you are some 13,000km away from the crime scene. Even if we were there, it would be an exercise in futility speculating how Teoh Beng Hock died. Anything said further on the circumstances leading to his death without evidence would just mean adding fuel to the fire. That’s not the kind of journalism we practise. By coincidence, we were reminded on Friday morning at the Centre for Investigative Journalism at the City University in London by veteran financial journalist and investigator, Martin Tomlinson, that investigative journalism is based

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Let the truth be told on facts – not comment, gossip or innuendo. The facts, he alluded, must speak for themselves. Over the past few days, claims and counter-claims have been made by various parties including one on the interrogation techniques and methodology used by the MACC officers. Yet again, it would be wrong to take it as the gospel truth without collaboration or corroborative evidence. And that is why, our minds wandered to the afternoon of June 10 when Terence and I were given a tour of the offices and operations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hongkong (ICAC). We were shown rooms where suspects and witnesses had their statements taken. They are equipped with video recording equipment and ICAC’s No. 2, Daniel Li was quick to explain the presence of a convex mirror in a corner of the room. “That mirror will show all the people present in the room and no one can make complaints that our officers were intimidating them while their statements were being recorded.” At the end of the session, the interviewee is given a copy of the

recording (which would committees shouldn’t help prepare his defence) wait for another before while the investigating they start moving. Yes, officer gets another and they can’t bring Teoh a third is sealed and back to life or console his deposited in the vault. distraught parents or the “That’s because if the woman he was to marry contents are disputed – but they may prevent by the prosecution or more deaths. the defence, the courts They should discuss accept the sealed copy as how statements should be authentic,” said Li. CitizenNades recorded, look at recordSince the MACC has ing all interrogations, look by R. Nadeswaran been flogging the name of at ways to ensure no one the ICAC and flaunting its moans and groans after a legislation as “taken from the ICAC”, meeting with the MACC. Why are we one wonders why the methodologies taxpayers paying their allowances have not been adopted. and for the “kopi and kuih-muih” at While calls for a royal commission their meetings? What benefits have of inquiry will continue to be made, these committees brought since their what about the various committees inception in March? set up under the MACC’s auspices? While I was in the shower Friday One death is one too many. Those morning (3pm Malaysian time), appointed to the MACC oversight MACC advisory panel member Tan

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Put the nation first ON the morning before Teoh’s Beng Hock’s death, I was disturbed about the MACC’s “selective persecution” of the Pakatan Rakyat folks in Selangor that I first called one commissioner, who is a friend, and complained. I then sent a text message to another member of the MACC, to protest. He said the MACC’s officers had evidence to do what they are doing; but I argued that “if there is prima facie evidence, it must be made public.” I had seen none till then; other than the statement, “we have received complaints.” Then I sent an SMS to all three of my friends in the MACC who were commissioners advising them that if they cannot hold their executives for responsible, fair, true, and honest investigations,

they should offer to resign. My intuitive feeling of being disturbed by the investigations became even more real later in the day when another friend called to inform me of Teoh’s death. Now, the fears and reality of selective persecution became the fear of selective prosecution. I told my friend: “The smell and taste of the news sounds and tastes very bad.” Due process must be followed to establish any truth in a modern system of governance. All Malaysians also have a right under the rule of law to not only exist on earth but to enjoy the modern privileges and opportunities of a simple life. Teoh was, however, denied this fundamental right. He had a right to know

Tape all interrogations THERE are too many allegations of inappropriate or brutal interrogation techniques used by the enforcement agencies. The recent death of the aide to a Selangor executive councillor so soon after being released by the MACC raises these allegations to a more serious level. It is extremely difficult for these enforcement and investigating agencies to prove that they do not mistreat their detainees or witnesses under their care. The only way to dispel these accusations would be via video evidence of what transpired during the interrogations. I suggest that digital video cameras

are installed in the police stations, MACC offices, lock-ups, interrogation rooms and other similar facilities. The law should be amended that statements obtained during interrogation are only admissible in court if they are recorded on video. The police, MACC and other enforcement agencies should look at this suggestion in a positive manner as these video evidence would provide conclusive proof that they do not use illegal means when interrogating or detaining suspects or witnesses.

Sri Robert Phang called up Terence to say an emergency meeting is being held by the panel and followup action will be taken. Subsequent events may show that MACC was not responsible for the tragedy, but will the public ever believe that? After all, Teoh for all intents and purposes, was in the care and custody of the MACC at the material time. On a personal note, my condolences go out to Teoh’s family. I can relate to the grief and agony his loved ones are going through. The same question I asked almost five years ago – why my child? – will be repeated over and over again. From the bottom of my heart, I can only ask for one thing: the truth be told minus the frills and the legalese. That’s the least we could do for someone who lost his life on the eve of his marriage. R. Nadeswaran stopped commenting on MACC since April after a series of disappointments over its inaction. But he has also met many MACC officers who are passionate about wiping out corruption. He can be reached at [email protected].

“what the prima facie evidence was before he was interrogated.” Then, he can choose whether to allow himself to be interrogated without the presence of his lawyers. Ordinary Malaysians, who are not politicians, can only guess what the “interrogation was about which lasted for so many hours?” There was no charge, only an allegation which the authorities call a report. I say, enough is enough. I cannot take even one more death in custody. I think the MACC chief needs to be held accountable if he cannot give an honest and believable report of the incident. I concur with all who are angry; but let us moderate the anger into a “force of influence for positive change!” May all of us seek God’s guidance on where and how to vent the internal anger we feel for the good of this nation we love. KJ John Petaling Jaya

Foreign spouses thankful

of meters that are properly calibrated; no picking and choosing of passengers according to destination; cleanliness; and courteous drivers. What targets has the minister set? What specific measures has he planned to make these changes happen? I am sure he is not so naïve as to think that errant public transport operators are going to mend their ways once the fare increases are implemented . He needs to do something much more different from what is being done and ensure the public transport operators deliver.

FOREIGN spouses of Malaysians laud the initiative of Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to clear the backlog of pending applications for permanent residency and citizenship. For years many foreign spouses, have been residing in the country on yearly visas, requiring the Malaysian spouse to be present even for renewal of visas. This puts the non-citizen spouse, especially the women, in a vulnerable and dependent position. Foreign spouses have difficulties getting a job and health care. Only a few highly educated non-citizen spouses are able to secure work-permits, as there are many restrictions. Additionally foreign spouses have to pay double charges for health care in government hospitals. Woe if you are a housewife, for opening a bank account is near impossible. Though on paper it is said that spouses who remain in the country for five years, can apply for permanent resident status, in practice the process takes years. We do hope that the home minister will also implement clear guidelines and policies with regard to the application and approvals of permanent resident status for the non-citizen spouses of Malaysians. We sincerely thank him for going the extra mile.

Joseph Paul Seremban

Bina Ramanand Foreign Spouse Support Group

Adri Hemy Abdul Ghani Jeddah

Nazri must spell it out I REFER to “Dearer public transport from Aug 1” (July 17). When Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz says public transport companies “are expected to improve their level of service after the fare hike”, it is important to spell out what changes we can expect, and how he expects those changes to happen. He could start by enumerating some key components of service quality in the public transport system. Customers expect the following: » For buses: Punctuality according to a schedule that is displayed; no overcrowding; comfortable stops; airconditioning that works; and safety. » Taxis: Should be easily available; use

| MONDAY JULY 20 2009

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