Chris Kooi Wei Kit

1.         “No Further Action” (NFA) by its literal meaning suggests that nothing more can or will be done in the future. Case closed. Curtains down. The file gathers dust forever. But in Malaysia, NFA has come to mean something else entirely. It could means a case is closed due to lack of evidence or suspects unidentified. It may also mean the police ran out of leads or the case got too politically uncomfortable.

2.         The recent Faisal Halim acid attack case is a perfect example. A targeted act of violence against a national footballer and yet the case was stamped with “NFA” after the police stated they could not identify the assailant. 

3.         Even more alarming is the decision to classify the Teoh Beng Hock case as NFA more than a decade after his death in MACC custody despite a Court of Appeal ruling in 2014 stating MACC officers were responsible. 

4.         If suspects exist, even if they are not yet arrested, the case should remain open, “under investigation”, or “suspended pending arrest”. Using NFA suggests that nothing more can or should be done. This closes the door to justice not just for victims, but for public accountability.

5.         Malaysia must urgently reform its approach to case classification. We need honest and precise terms that reflect reality. Some suggestions include:

• “Pending Arrest – Suspect Known”,
• “Investigation Suspended – No Active Leads”,
• “Cold Case – Reopened If New Evidence” and
• “Open – Awaiting Decision by AGC”. 

6.         Additionally, police and the AGC should be required to provide written justifications for case outcome, especially in high-profile or public interest matters. These justifications should be available for independent review and subject to judicial review if necessary. 

7.         Words matter. And when we say “No Further Action,” we’re not just describing a file, we’re sending a message. A message to victims that their suffering has hit a dead end. A message to the public that the truth is optional. A message to wrongdoers that they may never be held accountable. Let’s be clear: “No Further Action” (NFA) should only apply when there is truly nothing left to do, particularly when no criminal offence is disclosed, not when we choose to do nothing in the face of an obvious act of crime.

Chris Kooi Wei Kit

25.5.2025