A top criminologist has questioned the standard operating procedures (SOPs) on the release and re-arrest of detainees between law enforcement agencies following the escape of the main suspect in a Macau scam from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s headquarters last week.

Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Assoc Prof Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy described the escape of 32-year-old Goh Leong Yeong @ Alvin from the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Oct 11 as one that “truly defies logic”.

“Surely the MACC has clear-cut SOPs on the release of detainees to other law enforcement agencies,” said Sundramoorthy.

Goh, who is also wanted for money-laundering and online betting, was released on MACC bail along with several other suspects. They were supposed to be re-arrested by the police who were waiting for them at the main gate.

The suspects had boarded privately-owned multi-purpose vehicles after the bail process was completed. Goh, however, escaped from his vehicle and is reported to have jumped over the fence at the back of the MACC building with the help of his two bodyguards. He fled in a car that was parked by the roadside.

The other suspects were re-arrested by police at the main gate of the MACC headquarters.

Sundramoorthy pointed out there were stringent processes in such situations.

“Even in the private sector, any employee caught for a criminal offence would be placed in a holding room until he is handed to the police and this is followed by lodging a police report,” he said.

“The suspect will be brought to the office of the enforcement body so there is no chance of escape.”

Sundramoorthy also said the MACC appears to have not learnt from the past. He was referring to the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock whose body was found at MACC’s building in Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam in 2009 and the death of Customs officer Ahmad Sarbini Mohamed, whose remains were found in MACC’s building in Jalan Cochrane, Kuala Lumpur in 2011.

“Common sense would dictate the subject (Goh) is of major importance to police. There are many questions here that the MACC needs to answer as it is a matter of national interest,” said Sundramoorthy.

“There are decorums to adhere to for re-arrest in court, which includes making the re-arrest only outside the physical building of the courthouse. But MACC is not a courthouse.”

Sundramoorthy added the arrest of policemen, including high-ranking officers, for their alleged involvement in the case also raises questions as to why it was not exposed by the police Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS), Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) but was left to MACC to open Pandora’s box.

“WHAT WAS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JIPS, CCID AND MACC? WERE THEY NOT CO-ORDINATING?”

“Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador has repeatedly said he has zero-tolerance on any act of deviation and corruption regardless of the rank of a police officer but he needs the support of his senior officials in weeding out the bad apples.”

Sundramoothry added it was crucial for MACC and police to explain the fiasco.

This article first appeared on TwentyTwo13.