Former political secretary to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Matthias Chang, complained of detention conditions where he has to share his cell with those infected with tuberculosis and HIV.

Chang said this in the dock after the High Court refused to make a decision today on whether the charge against Chang and his client, former Batu Kawan Umno deputy division chief Khairuddin Abu Hassan ( photo ), ‎ falls under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

"I am staying in the cell with these people and you want me to wait for another two weeks? I cannot stay for another day as my liberty is at stake.

"There is also another cellmate brought out of the cell and became paralysed and we as cellmates have to clean him up, bathe him and clean his faeces and feed him. Go and visit prison," said Chang, who is also a lawyer.

After listening to the submissions today, High Court judge Mohd Azman Husin said he would need two weeks as he would be on leave next week.

He then told the court that he would deliver his decision on Nov 18.

Khairuddin and Chang are charged with allegedly sabotaging the banking and financial system in the country by visiting five countries including Hong Kong, Singapore and United Kingdom along with Switzerland and New York.

Justice Azman also did not allow lawyer Hanif Khatri Abdullah's ( photo ) application for interim bail for the duo while awaiting the decision.

This upset the duo's family members and led to Chang's outburst.

DPP Masri Mohd Daud objected to Hanif’s application for an interim bail pending decision and strongly objected to what Chang had said in court as this was not an issue and that if the court decides to release them, it should be made after the Nov 18 decision.

Hanif disagreed and argued that this was an issue as it involves the liberty of his client Khairuddin and Chang (who is represented by Zainur Zakaria), where the High Court has an inherent jurisdiction to grant bail.

Umie Aida outburst

Justice Azman said even if he were to listen to the bail application, he would not be able to make a decision today, adding that he would decide on the date he had earlier fixed.

As Justice Azman left for his chambers after the proceeding, Khairuddin’s actress wife Umie Aida shouted: “ Nanti kena karma lah kamu .” (You will receive karma).

Chang was suffering from cough and expressed concern that he may have tuberculosis, while Khairuddin, who was wearing a neck brace, told his family members to remain calm.

On previous occasions, Chang had addressed the court by asking what economic sabotage they had performed by merely lodging police reports in three countries and meeting law authorities in two countries.

Chang accompanied Khairuddin ( photo ) to lodge those reports over state investment firm 1MDB.

In his submission to the court, Zainur asked how Khairuddin and Chang can come under Sosma when they are not terrorists.

“Look at them (pointing at the dock), do they look like terrorists?” he asked.

Reading from the Parliament's Hansard when the bill was formulated, Zainur said Sosma could be used against those who falsified documents or other offences related to the use of arms like the Al Maunah and Jemaah Islamiah movements, but not for this.

For this reason, Zainur and Hanif submitted that the charge should come under the Penal Code and not Sosma.

Masri, however, submitted that the court cannot depend solely on Hansard, but should also look at the bigger picture of maintaining public order and these include banking and financial services.

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