MACC feared Albert would 'destroy' evidence - source

The MACC calling in businessperson Albert Tei’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, for questioning today is related to the graft buster's fear that evidence would be “destroyed”, a source familiar with the matter told Malaysiakini.

The source said such concerns were one of the justifications given when the MACC applied to remand Tei on Saturday.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki has since confirmed that this was one of the prosecutors’ submissions.

In the submissions, prosecutors noted that Tei (above) informed the MACC that all evidence against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former aide, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, had been submitted to his lawyers.

According to the source, this included recordings of conversations and documents regarding transactions.

The MACC is also looking for a phone linked to Tei, which it believes to be in Mahajoth’s possession.

The lawyer denied possessing such a device.

“As to the MACC’s demand for a handphone allegedly belonging to my client, I do not possess it, contrary to the MACC’s utterly baseless claim or belief,” he said in a statement before arriving at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today.

Mahajoth said any documents handed to him are also protected by client-lawyer confidentiality.

“I cannot lawfully disclose privileged communications or materials, and it is unfathomable that the MACC appears unable or unwilling to understand this basic legal safeguard.

“Come what may, I will not be answering any questions on the communications or documents received by me from my client in the course of advising him,” he said.

‘Return all seized items’

When contacted, another of Tei’s lawyers, Zaid Malek, also denied that the businessperson would destroy evidence.

“He wants the thing to be investigated, I don't know why, what reason he would have to destroy evidence,” he told Malaysiakini.

However, he declined to comment on why the MACC would believe otherwise.

“I can’t confirm or deny the intentions of MACC as the body or its officers or whoever is in charge of the investigation, but I think the people can see the evidence for themselves and how Tei has been treated,” he added.

In a related development, Messrs Raj & Sach, who appeared for Tei’s wife Lee Pei Rie, sent a letter to the MACC yesterday demanding that the anti-graft body provide an immediate issuance of the full and signed seizure inventory as per Section 31 of the MACC Act.

In a letter sighted by Malaysiakini, the law firm also demanded that MACC return all the items seized during their raid at Tei’s house on Nov 28.

“(We also demand) written clarification of our client’s legal status as to whether (she) is regarded as a witness, a suspect or otherwise under MACC’s investigation,” said the letter, which demanded these requests be fulfilled within the next three days.

If the MACC fails to do so, the firm said they are instructed to proceed for a judicial review at the High Court in seeking orders to compel the issuance of a seizure list, mandatory return of unlawfully detained property and declarations of illegality and procedural non-compliance.

“(We would also) lodge formal complaints with the MACC Complaints Committee and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission.”

Heavy-handed raid

On Nov 28, Lee had claimed that the MAC officers were heavy-handed when raiding her home, with the officers pointing a gun at her before handcuffing Tei.

The MACC denied pointing a gun at Lee, prompting her to lodge a police report.

The raid and arrest followed Tei’s recent accusation levelled against Shamsul, whom he claimed he had spent RM629,000 on after being assured that the PKR man could aid in recouping monies channelled to politicians in Sabah.

Besides funding renovations, appliances, and furnishings for two properties, Tei alleged he had spent thousands of ringgit on premium cigars and tailored suits for Shamsul, who also purportedly requested money from the businessperson while travelling abroad.

Both Shamsul and Tei - as well as a woman accused of being the Malacca PKR chief’s proxy - were arrested on Friday.

Shamsul and Tei were then remanded for six days.

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