Missing key witness in M'sia corruption probe believed to have been kidnapped by 'police officers'

A key witness in a money laundering investigation in Malaysia was allegedly abducted just before she was scheduled to give a statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Pamela Ling was first reported missing on Apr. 9 after being taken from a private-hire car by individuals who supposedly identified themselves as police officers, reported The New Straits Times (NST).

Ling, the wife of prominent businessman Thomas Hah Tiing Siu, founder of JoinLand Group, was based in Singapore with their children.

The couple has reportedly been under MACC investigation for alleged corruption and money laundering offences since May 2024.

In January 2025, Ling was arrested and repatriated to Malaysia following a joint operation with Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

It was later revealed that just two days before her disappearance, Ling had filed a judicial review alleging that the MACC had misused its powers to "exert pressure" on her.

Day of the alleged kidnapping

Following news of Ling’s disappearance, a private hire driver came forward to describe how he was allegedly forced to end his ride before Ling was taken from his car by individuals posing as police officers.

According to the driver, Kok, he was driving Ling to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

"As we neared the MACC building, three vehicles suddenly appeared, one in front, one behind, and one on the side, blocking my car," he told NST.

"Two men and one woman got out of two of the vehicles, while no one exited the third. I saw the men wearing police vests and the woman dressed in a police uniform."

They approached Kok and told him they were detaining Ling to assist in a police investigation.

He said Ling was initially resistant but was eventually pulled out of the car.

Ling paid him RM100 for the ride, and the suspects allegedly forced Kok to press the "complete job" button on his app.

They also took his national identity card, driver’s license, and phone number before leaving.

Kok later lodged a police report, stating that he was unable to work for two weeks while waiting for his license to be replaced.

Investigations ongoing

Local police said no ransom demands have been made for Ling so far and that the case is under investigation.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said statements have been taken from 12 individuals, including MACC officers.

One of the angles being investigated is whether the abduction was "staged," Rusdi told reporters on May 8.

Rusdi added that there were no signs of struggle during the incident.

He expressed confidence that Ling is still alive and remains in the country.

"There are cases of people who have been missing for a long time but are still alive. There are also cases of people who went missing for a short while and are already dead. But I am confident that she is still here (alive)."

He said immigration records show Ling's last trip was to Singapore in January, with no record of her leaving Malaysia since.

Rusdi also updated that at least five cars were involved in the initial confrontation, with two other vehicles used to block traffic during the incident.

Investigations revealed that the vehicles were using fake licence plates linked to other plates that were already registered.

The owners of the original car plates have given their statements and confirmed that their cars were not at the scene during the alleged kidnapping.

CCTV footage at the scene have been examined to retrace the movements of the vehicles.

It was found that the vehicles went in two different directions and left the area immediately.

Accusations against MACC

Ling’s lawyer has raised concerns about MACC’s role in her disappearance, questioning whether the agency did enough to protect a witness who "may have been in possession of crucial evidence."

"If Pamela was indeed providing information in the course of an active MACC probe, it stands to reason that she may have possessed material or sensitive information that could have placed her in a vulnerable position," the lawyer said.

"The question must be asked — did the MACC recognise this potential risk, and did it alert the police at the earliest opportunity, so that appropriate lines of inquiry could be pursued?"

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki called it "unfair" to blame the MACC, saying the incident was "beyond their control" as it occurred outside the MACC compound.

He also denied claims that the commission failed to provide adequate protection to Ling.

Judicial review against MACC

In the judicial review filed two days before her disappearance, Ling alleged that the MACC had "misused its powers" under the MACC Act and the Anti-Money Laundering Act to "exert pressure" on her.

She claimed the commission had told her to resolve a private dispute with her estranged husband, rather than acting for legitimate investigative purposes.

"The MACC was alleged to have arrested and remanded Ling without a proper legal basis and in breach of due process and had subjected her to a travel restriction without explanation, despite full compliance with MACC requirements," her lawyer said in a statement on May 7, according to NST.

Top photo via NST and Google Maps