MACC officer says it is ‘normal’ to break witnesses down

An officer with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) told the coroner’s court today that it is usual for witnesses to be questioned until they obtain the “right” answers.

However, Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus denied that Teoh Beng Hock was questioned in such a manner.

Ashraf was one of two MACC officers who questioned the political aide between 10.40pm on July 15 and 12.40am the next day.

He told the court that he received instructions to question Teoh at 9.40pm but had to wait for his colleague to arrive and finish his work before starting.

The 25-year-old officer said it was also normal to question witnesses late at night, if they wanted to co-operate.

He maintained he never questioned Teoh because he was the junior to another officer — Arman Alies — who did the questioning while he only checked documents.

Both officers questioned Teoh before his statement was taken by another officer known only as Nazri. He has yet to be called as a witness.

Ashraf, who joined the MACC in 2005, said he was not trained in interrogation techniques though he underwent six months of basic training at the Police Training Centre in Ayer Hitam.

He also did not know what the word "oppression" meant but he did know what "psychologically breaking down a witness" was.

He said the term was "normal" based on the popular TV series "CSI" but denied assertions by lawyer Gobind Singh Deo that Teoh was assaulted.

Gobind also said the role of the officers was to break Teoh down before he went to give his statement but Ashraf denied this.


comments

Is using rough tactic of long interview and thro' wee hours in the morning, the only method MAcc knew? If a person too tired and mentally exhausted, sometimes they are not in stated of mind and will force to submit reluctantly/unconsciously. Ask doctor/professor/psychologist, and they will explain to you.
They are so outdated and are way behind time. I believe not all, but many not with professional qualification. And will do their job base on what being asked only. And no "out of box" initiatve taken.

Mohd Ashraf Mohd Yunus is sick. MACC is sick. Are you behaving like the CIA who break down SUSPECTS with water boarding, wall slamming, nakedness, cold treatment etc. MACC is even more sick because they do this to WITNESSES. Who want to become an MACC witness? I dont.

Is MACC run by depraved people.


'An officer with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) told the coroner’s court today that it is usual for witnesses to be questioned until they obtain the “right” answers.' Did he mean the actual truth itself, or the truth as the MACC would wish to have validated?

More worrying is the statement that "it is ‘normal’ to break witnesses down". I remember the Japanese, during the Occupation, had an organisation, called the Kempetai, that sought their version of the truth, and was successful in persuading people to "confess". Is history repeating itself?


Harsh & rough tactics conducted on a witness, what if a suspect, full torture tactics to be conducted ??? ... where is your conscience "nterrogator(s)". Apparently the study trip to Hong Kong ICAC was just a "holiday", what did these people "learn" there? MACC officer did not know what the word "oppression" meant but he did know what "psychologically breaking down a witness" was. If dont know the word/meaning, how come he did not ask, MACC officer should be inquisitive, isnt it?