Teoh Beng Hock group slams Ling's 'enforced disappearance'

Summary

• The Teoh Beng Hock Association alleges that Pamela Ling was a victim of enforced disappearance by the police.

• It calls for a government investigation into this and past MACC abuses, including deaths in custody.

• They urge an overhaul of the MACC and legal action against the officers involved, highlighting concerns about Malaysia’s international standing.

The Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement raised the alarm over what it alleged to be yet another case of enforced disappearance involving a person under investigation by the MACC.

The NGO cited the case of businessperson Pamela Ling, who was reportedly abducted on April 9 by individuals believed to be police officers while on her way to the MACC headquarters to give a statement.

Association chairperson Ng Yap Hwa, in a statement, noted the suspicious timing of her abduction, which coincided with a sudden change in her appointment with the MACC, describing it as “too much of a coincidence to ignore”.

“This marks a new, serious case of enforced disappearance following the deaths of Teoh Beng Hock in 2009 and Ahmad Sarbani in 2011 at MACC premises,” he claimed.

On May 2, Ling’s family revealed that the 42-year-old, who is a Datin Seri, was on her way to meet MACC investigators on April 9, where she was supposed to facilitate a money laundering investigation, but was abducted before she could reach her destination.

Her Grab driver on that day claimed that individuals wearing police uniforms stopped his vehicle, forced Ling to exit, and allegedly forced him to mark the ride as “completed”.

Commenting further, Ng called on the government to investigate the incident seriously, in line with the definition of enforced disappearance outlined by the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, which includes abductions carried out with the acceptance of state agents.

“This is not the first time MACC has committed abuses.

“It is time for the government to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of MACC and take legal action against all officers involved in deaths, enforced disappearances, and torture of detainees,” he stressed.

Further, Ng argued that ongoing police investigations should not be used by the MACC as a shield against scrutiny, urging a broader probe into both police and MACC personnel linked to Ling’s case.

Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur police chief Rusdi Isa said police have found new leads on Ling’s abduction case, but they could not reveal much information so as not to jeopardise the victim’s safety.

Pattern of impunity

According to media reports, Ling was extradited from Singapore early this year on the MACC’s request, where she was subsequently arrested and remanded.

She was also barred from leaving Malaysia and was reportedly summoned by the MACC multiple times for further statement recordings after her release.

Lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, who represents Ling’s family, revealed that the victim had filed a judicial review application in the high court challenging the actions of the graft busters.

Citing previous high-profile disappearances, including those of pastor Raymond Koh, Amri Che Mat, and Joshua Hilmy, Ng warned that the pattern of impunity among law enforcement agencies was eroding public trust and damaging Malaysia’s international standing.

“The recurring deaths in custody and enforced disappearances are severe human rights violations that will tarnish Malaysia’s image and the credibility of the Madani government.

“The government must commit to reforming all law enforcement agencies and restoring the rule of law to protect the basic rights of all citizens,” he said.

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