THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police should formulate clear policies that would determine which categories of suspect would be required to don a detention outfit and get handcuffed, said Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.
“The different standards practised by the MACC on which suspects should or not adorn the bright orange detention T-shirts has left tongues wagging. It also creates a perception that favouritism is being practised by the agency.
“It also reflects poorly on the MACC in terms of implementing its own policy. Either MACC has no policy or it is left at the discretion of individual officers. Therefore, the proposal by Special Committee on Corruption chairperson Tan Sri Rais Yatim to address this issue is laudable,” he said, in a statement.
Last week, Rais said that his committee would be calling the MACC to address several issues affecting the agency, including its apparent double standards when it dresses up an accused in MACC’s bright orange detention T-shirts.
“Every time an individual is brought to court to be charged, they must be given the same treatment. At present, there are those who are arrested and brought to court in orange, but there are cases where they do not (wear orange).
“There are some who even turn up in a coat and necktie as if they are going for a meeting.
“We are of the opinion that if the orange shirt is to be used for whatever reason, then it should apply to all. There should be no selectiveness,” Malaysiakini reported Rais as saying.
Spare non-violent crime suspects of detention outfit, handcuffs
On that note, Lim said that the same problem exists within the Royal Malaysian Police, where some are taken to court donning the detention uniform while some are not.
The DAP leader alleged that it was apparent when the suspects are VVIPs, where they are usually not handcuffed and do not wear detention clothes when brought to court.
“If there are reasons why they are not required to wear lockup clothes when they are in police and MACC detention, it should be made clear to the public.
“In my opinion, both the police and MACC should allow suspects of non-violent crimes who are yet to be charged with any offence to appear in their ordinary attire without handcuffs before the magistrate for remand hearing,” Lim concluded. – Jan 16, 2022.
