The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today came under fire from the royal commission of inquiry into the death of Teoh Beng Hock for its "lack of professionalism" in not acting swiftly on information obtained from witnesses.

MACC Selangor's investigating officer Mohd Anuar Ismail, who was in charge of Teoh in the investigation into the abuse of state funds, was chastised for admitting that he did not immediately go through the statement recorded from Teoh.

Teoh, was held overnight from July 15 to 16, 2009, to give evidence in the MACC investigation into allegations that his boss, Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah, had swindled state funds.

The political aide was found dead on the fifth floor service corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, where the Selangor MACC has its office on the 14th floor.

NONE Anuar ( right ) had earlier testified that Teoh's statement needed to be "urgently" recorded in the wee hours of the morning because he was afraid the latter might "make up" stories if it was done later.

Despite, knowing that it was an urgent matter, he said, he had to sleep due to fatigue from the events of the day.

Anuar said this in response to inquiry panel chief Justice James Foong's call to him to explain whether there would have been a necessity in keeping Kajang councillor Tan Boon Wah at the MACC for more than 17 hours if he had read Teoh's statement.

He had earlier testified that Tan was suspected of marking up the prices of flags supplied to the Seri Kembangan state constituency for a Merdeka day event, despite not knowing the market price.

Besides Teoh, Tan had also appeared as a witness, from about 7pm on July 15 until 1.30pm on July 16, 2009.

"I was too tired. I didn't read the statement (which had been left on his desk). I couldn't even stand up," said Anuar, who added that he slept from 3.30am to 8.30am.

'Coordination problems in the commission'

"You are all not professional," said a frustrated Foong, who has been listening to Anuar for the past four days. "Do you agree with us that we must put professionalism back into your force?"

Anuar said that there were "coordination problems in the commission" and conceded that professionalism could be improved.

Commissioner T Selventhiranathan also cornered Anuar on the issue. "You held him there and recorded his statement until 3.30am... (you said) there was urgency. Yet, you did not follow up?" he asked.

Anuar responded that MACC needed an initial statement from Teoh, before following up on the matter.

"Imagine officers on night duty at the police station asleep while a crime is happening," Foong burst out. "I'm sorry (but) I'm so frustrated."

Criticising the officer of being "illogical", Foong told him, "The first thing (to check) is whether work was done. Find out the value of the work.

"You all didn't do that. That's the problem," he added, citing the inefficiency of the officer in approaching Teoh directly, without proper documentary proof.

'I was angry with Teoh's action'

Later, asked by MACC lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah what he could have done to prevent Teoh's fatal fall, Anuar replied "no".

"I was angry at Teoh's actions, with his death (and) all the problems that arose from this had an effect on me and my family," he said.

Anuar had earlier said he left Teoh with about seven other MACC officers after escorting him to the MACC investigation office.

He said this was because Teoh was "pacing" and looked "restless", and he therefore asked the officers in room to "break the ice" with Teoh, while he checked on the documents as well as the computer and laptop seized from Teoh's state secretariat office.

NONE Foong: You did this by mixing him (Teoh) with other officers?

Anuar: My intention was to clam him down... to break the ice.

Foong: What it is, a wedding is it? He is there as a witness... that's a very silly thing (to do), if you talk to Dr (Mohamed) Hatta (Shaharom) he can give an lesson.

Anuar: I've handled thousands of witnesses (this way).

Foong: You may have interviewed thousands of people but they are not eggshells. You punched without knowing how thick the skull is.

Mohamed Hatta, a forensics psychiatrist, asked Anuar, if he felt he contributed to Teoh's death, but the investigator objected to the suggestion.

"I don't want to force you, but don't you feel, at least a little guilty? Or sinful?" asked the commissioner.

Anuar: No, this is beyond my control. I can't prevent these things from happening.

Mohamed Hatta: I put it to you that you are in a state of denial? What do you feel?

Anuar: I did my best to fulfil my duties... it's my responsibility to take care of my witnesses, but this was beyond my control.

Selventhiranathan then asked Anuar if he knew of children who committed suicide because of pressure to study from parents.

Anuar: Yes, I have the cut-out of the article, 60 percent (to be accurate).

Selventhiranathan: Why then did you put him in a room with seven other officers and... tell them to check on his (Teoh's) background?

Anuar: I just (wanted) him to socialise.

Foong then stopped the line of questioning. " Let's move on, this makes me more and more angry."

Mohamed Hatta later asked the investigating officer again how he felt and Anuar replied that he was "relieved" and expressed hope that the proceedings would be over soon.

"I want to move on... it can't be going on forever. If it is wrong, it is wrong. If it is right, it's right," he said.

The inquiry continues tomorrow.