KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar is urging enforcement agencies to demonstrate the highest possible professional standards when dealing with investigation procedures.
In a statement today, its president George Varughese said he was concerned about reports of travel bans on targets of police investigations, and of leaks to the media of videos, photographs and other details.
“Law enforcement agencies must obtain the consent of the courts to prevent persons from leaving the country,” he said.
“The proper due process mechanism, contained in the Criminal Procedure Code, provides for, amongst other things, remand, bail and conditions that can be attached thereto. These procedures must be followed.
“Likewise, it is wholly unacceptable for members of law enforcement agencies to leak videos and photographs taken of items detained as part of ongoing investigations, or to share information about those ongoing investigations, without authorisation.
“Such leakages jeopardise ongoing investigations, and may well undermine attempts to bring alleged perpetrators of criminal offences to justice.”
Varughese said all individuals were entitled to the protection of their constitutional rights, regardless of public sentiment against certain high-profile members of the previous government.
“The Malaysian Bar has always advocated the observance of the rule of law, and of proper due process of law.
“On top of that, all individuals are entitled to the protection of their constitutional rights.
“These rights are granted to everyone, regardless of alleged or perceived wrongdoings, or social status.
“Law enforcement agencies, in the conduct of their investigations, must ensure that the publicly-stated paradigm of the new government, namely respect for the rule of law, be observed strictly. “There must be no shortcuts or compromises.”