As expected Sarbaini inquest yields a dud: No foul play, MACC exonerated!

As expected, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission got off the hook on the Ahmad Sarbaini deathfall case, with the Coroner handing out a death by misadventure verdict.

The decision sparked two contrasting emotions. MACC and its lwyer Shafee Abdullah whooped and crowed with joy, while Sarbaini's widow sat quiet, subdued but not really surprised.

The warnings had been clear, Prime Minister Najib Razak and his government would do all they can to protect the MACC, no matter how wayward it is or becomes. Umno bloggers fired an early warning, uploading a steamy sex video they claimed was linked to the Sarbaini case although the man in the clip filmed having sex with a Caucasian prostitute did not look like Sarbaini at all.

No matter, the intent was clear and the message aimed at Sarbaini's family. Don't create any more fuss!

Unbelievable

But his widow Maziah Manap is unlikely to keep her mouth shut for long, although for today, she declined comment citing weariness. Her lawyer Awtar Singh, however, minced no words describing the decision as unbelievable.

“Why must he do that? He went there on his own free will. Furthermore, there are no visible fingerprints near the window and they did not take the clothing of the MACC KL head of investigations, Ahmad Fauzi Husin, to conduct a DNA test,” Awtar told reporter after the Coroner announced the decision.

Aizatul Akmal Maharani, the Coroner, closed the inquest after 34 witnesses had given their testimonies. He ruled out foul play and third party involvement.

This despite strong testimony for Maziah, wo said her husband "would never commit suicide".

Government pathologist Prof Dr Shahrom Abd Wahid, from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, gave his expert opinion that Sarbaini died from "accidental death" after falling from the pantry window of the third floor of the MACC building.

Slander

MACC lawyer, Shafee, who frequently acts on behalf of Umno, has alleged that Sarbaini 'accidentally' fallen because he was in a hurry to meet a girlfriend working at Schenker Logistics (M) Sdn Bhd. His accusation drew a sharp rebuke from Sarbaini's widow.

"I am most disappointed and saddened at the accusation made by the MACC. It is a great slander to make such an insinuation," Maziah had said in a statement.

The 56-year-old Ahmad Sarbaini was the deputy direcor of Selangor Customs. He was part of an MACC investigation into money laundering activities and had gone to the MACC building in Cheras to meet the investigating officer on April.

He never left the building alive. His body was found dead at the badminton court on the MACC's first floor badminton court.

Police ineptness

Speculation is rife as to his involvement in the money laundering racket and the MACC's role in it. His friends and colleagues, who were adamant he did not commit suicide, have accused the MACC of foul play. They believe Sarbaini had wanted to confront the MACC and expose some of its officers' misconduct.

Other unusual occurences include the failure of police to perform DNA tests on the clothing of the MACC investigating officer, whom Sarbaini had gone to meet.

However, for the Coroner and Shafee, all these went completely under their radar. Both men zeroed in to the staff named Kamal, who had taken Sarbaini to the investigating officer's room.

“He should not have left a person for even one second. For sure there’ll be a follow-up on Kamal,” Shafee told reporters.

But critics and followers of the case condemned MACC and Shafee for picking of the most junior link in the entire scandal.

"There should have been CCTV installed but Sarbaini didn't die becaue he was left alone. He died a very suspicious death that has not been answered at all by the Coronor's misadventure verdict," PKR vice president Tian Chua toldMalaysia Chronicle.

- Malaysia Chronicle