KUALA LUMPUR (May 7): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has refuted allegations of harassment or misconduct related to its investigation into Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh.
The anti-graft agency asserted that its actions against Ling were conducted within the bounds of the law, including securing all necessary court orders and adhering to established procedures.
"Allegations of harassment or misconduct are unfounded," the MACC said in a statement on Wednesday.
Its statement comes in response to claims made by Ling’s family lawyer, who revealed that Ling had filed a judicial review challenging a travel ban imposed on her by the MACC. The lawyer also alleged that the commission was pressuring Ling to resolve private disputes with her estranged husband.
Ling and her husband, Datuk Seri Hah Tiing Siu, are currently under MACC investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering offenses under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).
The MACC clarified that Ling’s judicial review application does not negate or invalidate its ongoing investigation. "Legal challenges are the right of any individual but do not impede the enforcement process as provided by law," the agency stressed.
Detailing the timeline of the investigation, the MACC said the investigation paper was initiated in May 2024, at which point both Ling and Hah were called in to provide statements. However, the MACC claimed that Ling did not cooperate.
Consequently, an arrest warrant was obtained for Ling in December 2024. She was subsequently apprehended in Singapore in January 2025 through a joint operation with Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau, according to the MACC.
Ling was remanded for three days and later released on MACC bail upon the expiry of the remand period.
The MACC said the recent April 9 summons for further questioning — the same day Ling reportedly went missing while en route to the MACC office — was prompted by new information obtained by the anti-graft body.
"Based on this information, the MACC also sought and obtained approval and an order from the deputy public prosecutor to retain Ling’s travel documents by serving her with a notice of surrender of travel documents under Section 44(1) of the MACC Act," the statement read.
"However, Ling failed to attend on that day, and her lawyer subsequently lodged a police report regarding her disappearance on the same day," the MACC added, reiterating previously reported information.
The MACC affirmed that it has been fully cooperating with the Royal Malaysian Police, who are leading the investigation into Ling’s disappearance.
"Accordingly, the MACC urges all parties to refrain from speculation that could hinder the investigation or create confusion among the public," the agency said.
"At this stage, our shared priority should be to provide full cooperation to the authorities so that efforts to locate and safely return Ling can proceed smoothly, safely, and as swiftly as possible,” the MACC added.
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