KUALA LUMPUR (April 1): As the disappearance of Datin Pamela Ling near the headquarters of the country’s anti-graft agency closes in on its one-year mark, her lawyer has complained about the lack of progress in investigations.
Sangeet Kaur Deo said in a statement on Wednesday that after months of silence from the police, the family was recently met with a request for basic information, including what steps were taken upon the discovery of her disappearance.
“These are questions that had already been posed at the earliest stages,” she said. “These meaningless questions now emerging without explanation or purpose confirm that this investigation indeed lacked direction and seriousness from the outset.”
The lawyer said the questions “unnecessarily” reopened wounds for a family forced to endure the disappearance of a daughter, sister and mother.
Ling disappeared on April 9 last year, as the e-hailing car she was travelling in was stopped by individuals travelling in separate vehicles near the junction leading to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) head office, where she was summoned to give a statement.
Two days earlier, she filed a judicial review application against the MACC, alleging abuse of power, unlawful detention and violation of constitutional rights under Articles 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution following an imposition of a travel ban imposed on her.
Chronology of events
- 2003 — Ling filed for divorce from her husband Datuk Thomas Hah Tiing Siu at the Singapore court, while her husband also filed for divorce at the Malaysian court. At the same time Ling filed a civil suit at the Singapore High Court against her husband, Multi Galaxy Pte Ltd and its company secretary to nullify the transfer of shares which she claimed was fraudulently conducted and to reclaim the shares. She also reported the matter to the Singapore Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
- Jan 8, 2025 — a warrant of arrest was issued to compel Ling’s presence at the MACC Johor Bahru office. Singapore's anti-graft agency took Ling into custody and handed her to MACC officers.
- Jan 9, 2025 — Ling was produced before the magistrate and remanded for three days at MACC Johor Bahru.
- Jan 11, 2025 — Ling was released on MACC bail and asked to deposit RM35,000 and required to report to MACC on the 10th of every month and subject to a travel ban.
- Jan to April 2025 — she attended the MACC office and was subject to interrogation and had a travel ban imposed on her. Investigations are said to be related to Sky Vantage Sdn Bhd and shifted to Ayam Kuat Maju Sdn Bhd and Multi Galaxy.
- March 24, 2025 — Pamela’s lawyers wrote to MACC to lift her travel ban. No reply was received.
- April 7, 2025 — she filed a judicial review against the MACC, alleging abuse of power, unlawful detention and violation of constitutional rights for allegedly wanting her to settle the Multi Galaxy dispute.
- April 9, 2025 — while travelling to the MACC headquarters, her e-hailing ride car was stopped near the junction of the MACC by several masked individuals and she has been missing since.
- May 26, 2025 – Police said they have interrogated 47 witnesses regarding Ling’s disappearance.
Repeated pressure
Sangeet alleged that Ling had been subject to pressure placed on her by the MACC that led to her arrest, remand and repeated interrogations and prolonged travel restrictions.
In her final affidavit, Ling had refused to back down in the face of what she described as sustained pressure and abuse of power in detailed, sworn facts placed on the record of the court.
“Yet, one year on, the police have come back with nothing,” Sangeet said. “No clear account of what investigations have been carried out or whether the concerns raised by Ling prior to her disappearance were examined have been provided at all.”
The lawyer noted that Malaysia had seen similar past incidents, including the disappearance and killing of Altantuya Shaariibuu and the death of Teoh Beng Hock while in the custody of the MACC, where each case is related to allegations of the involvement of state actors or agencies.
To date, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has remained silent on Ling’s disappearance.
“This silence is striking, given the strong and vocal positions he once took in cases such as Altantuya's and Teoh Beng Hock's, positions he advanced, regrettably, only while in the opposition,” Sangeet lamented.
Ling’s case involves serious allegations of abuse of power by public institutions, “which this government cannot continue to ignore", Sangeet added.