Media statement by Teo Nie Ching in Parliament on Tuesday, 11^th October 2011:

MACC track record poor, public confidence low

Last Wednesday, I questioned the Prime Minister in Parliament about the expenses incurred by the MACC in hiring:

1. The famous forensic expert from England, Peter Vanezis; and

2. Representing solicitor Datuk Seri Muhamad Shafee Abdullah

According to the written reply from the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz, the total expenditure incurred by MACC for Peter Vanezis, including air fare, accommodation, food and beverage, transportation and professional fees, amounted to RM90,680; whereas the professional fees paid to Datuk Seri Muhamad Shafee Abdullah was RM150,000.

Without a doubt, forensics and law are both highly specialised and complicated fields hence Professor Dr. Peter Vanezis and Datuk Seri Muhamad Shafee Abdullah can justify their high consultation fees. In light of that, their high charges make the voluntary and selfless contributions by renowned Thai forensic expert Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand and the solicitors representing the Teoh family, Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh, stand out even more. Their invaluable contributions are testament to their commitment and outstanding integrity.

In order to seek truth and justice, Dr. Pornthip came to Malaysia 4 times to testify in the coroner's court and the Royal Commission of Inquiry, and participated in the 2nd autopsy on Teoh Beng Hock's remains. For all her efforts, she did not charge a single cent for her professional services because she is driven by her conscience.

Both Karpal Singh and Gobind Singh have been fighting on behalf of the Teoh family in court since 2009, from the coroner's court to the current ongoing appeal and judicial review - a period of three long, painstaking years. The father-and-son team is also fighting for justice for the Teoh family on a completely pro bono basis.

The operating expenditure for the MACC for 2010 and 2011 amounted to RM168 million and RM202 million respectively, and the federal allocation for 2012 has been increased to a whopping RM211 million. Therefore, the high fees charged by Peter Vanezis and Datuk Seri Muhamad Shafee Abdullah are not a big deal for the MACC.

However, seeing as a huge amount of taxpayers' money has been spent by the MACC, it is only right that the people demand a satisfactory performance from the anti-corruption institution. Compared to conviction rates of almost 100% in Indonesia, 85% in Singapore and 95% in Hong Kong, the conviction rate in Malaysia is a pathetic 73% -- a poor track record when compared with its peers in the region.

For the year 2010 and 2011, resolved cases numbered 435 and 403 respectively. With a conviction rate of 73%, the average cost of a successful persecution was RM529,050 and RM457,754 for 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Since its inception on 1 January 2009, the MACC has been implicated in 2 suspicious deaths within its premises. But until today, we do not see any "big fishes" being brought to book. As former MCA President Ling Liong Sik, former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy and former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo are currently being prosecuted, will they fall within range of the 73% that will be convicted, or will they be part of the 27% who are acquitted?

* Teo Nie Ching, DAP Assistant National Publicity Secretary & MP for Serdang