Malaysia’s anti-corruption chief calls it ‘unfair’ to blame agency for witness abduction

Pamela Ling has not been seen since she was taken by people in police uniform while on her way to the MACC office on April 9

Malaysia’s anti-graft agency has denied allegations that it was harassing abducted witness Pamela Ling with a lengthy investigation and urged the public to end speculation over her whereabouts after she was taken from a Grab car more than three weeks ago.

Ling, a Malaysian national and estranged wife of a businessman implicated in a money-laundering case, was snatched by individuals wearing police uniforms from a ride-hailing vehicle in Kuala Lumpur on April 9. She has not been seen since.

Her disappearance – which was only made public after more than 20 days – has prompted outrage and revived scrutiny of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Amid growing calls for accountability, MACC chief Azam Baki on Wednesday pushed back against allegations that the commission failed to protect Ling as a cooperating witness, saying it was “unfair” to blame the agency.

“The public needs to stop speculating on this case and allow the police space and time to investigate it thoroughly,” Azam said.

The commission outlined its investigation into Ling and her husband, Sarawak-based businessman Thomas Hah, including a chronology of events leading up to her abduction.

According to the MACC, the couple have been under investigation for corruption and money laundering since May 2024. While Hah has given his statement, Ling initially refused to cooperate, resulting in an arrest warrant issued against her in December.

The couple, who are reportedly going through a divorce, have been linked to a controversial land deal in neighbouring Sabah, according to news reports.

“Subsequently, on January 8, a joint operation with the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau of Singapore was launched, and Pamela Ling was lawfully apprehended and brought back to Malaysia,” the commission said.

She was held in remand for three days before being released on bail.

Grabbed from Grab ride

Ling was ordered to appear for another session at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on April 9 to complete her testimony but failed to appear.

“Her lawyer subsequently lodged a police report regarding her disappearance on the same day,” the MACC said.

The commission stressed that it had taken all necessary steps in relation to the case, now in the hands of the Malaysian police, who were investigating it as a missing person case.

“Allegations of harassment or misconduct are unfounded,” it said.

Ling’s family lawyer, Sangeet Kaur Deo, alleged that Ling had been subjected to a “sustained and systematic campaign of pressure” by the MACC, saying her client had cooperated fully and testified at least nine times – yet was never charged with any offence.

“Despite this, she remained under an unexplained travel ban from at least October 2024, with an order to report to the MACC monthly,” Sangeet said in a statement on Wednesday.

The lawyer had previously said that such disappearances “are becoming a disturbing trend in Malaysia”.

“Each unresolved case chips away at public confidence in our institutions and the rule of law. Such incidents must never be treated as routine. There must be answers and accountability,” she said.

Ling’s disappearance has drawn comparisons to that of Pastor Raymond Koh in 2017, as well as similar cases involving Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife Ruth Sitepu, and Shia Muslim convert Amri Che Mat in 2016.

All were abducted in broad daylight, in public, and with striking coordination. None of their families received any ransom demand.