THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission must stop long hours of interrogation as it is a form of physiological torture, said the Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy. 

Its chairman Ng Geok Chee said prolonged interrogation infringes on people’s right to rest as stated in Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

“We stress that unnecessary and prolonged interrogation is a form of psychological torture, as it creates tremendous tension, jeopardises one’s mental health and allows abuse of power while in custody,” he said in a statement today. 

Ng was responding to MACC, which had interrogated former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for 11 hours until 9pm at their headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday. 

It was the second straight day of long hours of questioning for Syed Saddiq. 

The movement also condemned MACC for its previous prolonged interrogation of Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, the stepson of former prime minister Najib Razak into the dead of night. 

Ng said another incident occurred last month, where Syed Saddiq’s officer Nurul Hidayah had accused MACC of committing torturous acts and utter discriminatory remarks against her during interrogation. 

“She was asked to stand on one leg for half an hour. An MACC officer also threw a handphone towards her and threatened to slap her. They called her ‘Babi’ and ‘Bodoh’.

“The problem lies at the enormous power vested in the hand of MACC, who are given powers under Article 30(3)(a) of MACC Act to interrogate a person, theoretically, for indefinite periods of time.” 

The trust was set up after Teoh’s death in MACC custody on July 16, 2009. 

Ng said they have repeatedly criticised human rights violations committed by MACC since the political aide’s death. 

“MACC’s lengthy interrogation of Teoh for at least 11 hours, from 6pm on July 15 until 5am on July 16, which allowed abuse of power and eventually led to his demise.” 

He added that the MACC Act must comply with Lock-up Rules 1953 that all detainees be given rest time between 6pm and 6am. 

“All enforcement officers, including MACC officers, must get human rights education. Whoever violates the rights of detainees shall be punished.” 

Teoh’s body was found on the rooftop of a building next to the MACC office in Shah Alam, where he had been interrogated over graft allegations against a Selangor DAP assemblyman. – July 18, 2020.