KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has recorded statements from four individuals to assist in its investigation into former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin.
Their lawyers, Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Sohanpal, confirmed in a statement that the graft busters had summoned them to have their statements recorded.
“The four individuals had been called for their statements to be recorded pursuant to Section 30 of the MACC Act 2009.
“All four were very cooperative with the MACC and had promptly appeared at the MACC headquarters for their statements to be recorded despite being given less than 24 hours’ notice to do so,” they said.
They, however, claimed that “the MACC acted in an oppressive, unlawful and high-handed manner”.
The lawyers said one of them had been present with their client in the interview room before MACC officers asked them to leave.
“The MACC thus prevented us from representing and advising our clients.
“The conduct of the MACC was extraordinary and uncalled for,” they said.
The lawyers went on to argue that the right to legal representation when questioned by enforcement bodies was fundamental to Malaysia’s criminal justice system.
When asked who ordered the lawyers to be removed, the MACC officers claimed that it came from “someone high up”.
“MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki must bear full responsibility for the denial of lawyers.”
“We urge that he give a full explanation for doing so, as this involves the public interest and the integrity of the criminal justice system.”
On December 18, the MACC seized the Ilham Tower in connection with Daim’s involvement in an alleged embezzlement case involving RM2.3 billion in public funds in the 1990s.
The seizure came after the MACC initiated an investigation into Daim’s financial holdings in May.
A week later, the MACC confirmed the probe against Daim, and said investigations would include looking into his domestic and international assets and businesses following the seizure of his Ilham Tower.
Azam told Scoop that the investigation was focused on the acquisitions of his assets and businesses, such as property, hotels, and financial institutions overseas. – January 4, 2024