MACC today outlined a number of new security measures, such as the restriction of outsiders to the guest halls and holding of interrogation on the ground floor of any MACC premises.

NONE At a press conference at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today, deputy chief commissioner (administration and professionalism) Zakaria Jaafar is said to have stressed, “the interview of the accused has to be completed on the ground floor.”

He added that all questioning and conversations with outside parties had to be executed without delay.

“Outsiders brought in to the office are to be restricted to the guest halls only,” said the MACC in a series of tweets.

“For states whose offices do not have a ground floor, such as those who are in rented premises, steps should be taken for maximum security.”

The procedure is supposed to be implemented with immediate effect.

“All business must be settled under the observation of MACC officers at all times. If anyone is allowed to be alone at the MACC office, it means there is no supervision,” he told reporters.

He said the MACC had also instructed directors in the security division to conduct a thorough inspection of the entire MACC offices, either owned, rented or of common use, to ensure they met all the security requirements.

“On the security of these MACC offices, we have in force the instruction from the chief commissioner. According to the instruction to all directors of divisions, state MACC directors and MACC officers, guests or visitors are not permitted in the offices of the officers. Meetings are restricted to the waiting areas or guest rooms,” he said. 

'Standing orders paramount'

MACC stressed that every officer had to be familiar with and be bound by the Standing Orders of the commission, outlining severe repercussions for failure to do so.

NONE “All officers are to be bound by the Standing Orders that contain the procedures for recording of witness and detainees/ accused’s statements,” it said.

The announcements came swiftly as possible damage control after the latest tragedy on MACC's premises involving customs officer Selangor Customs Department assistant director Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed .

On April 6, Sarbani was found dead the Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) building in Jalan Cochrane.

The unfortunate incident occured in the midst of the royal commission of inquiry on the death of DAP aide Teoh Beng Hock , who fell to his death from Selangor MACC's office at Plaza Massalam in Shah Alam on July 16, 2009.