KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Mahajoth Singh, who represents businessman Albert Tei, has rejected the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) allegation that he is in possession of “key evidence”.
Tei is currently in the custody of the MACC.
Mahajoth described the claim as false and outrageous, saying it appeared intended to mislead the public about his role as legal counsel.
He also denied having a mobile phone allegedly belonging to Tei, adding that the documents requested by MACC were protected by solicitor–client privilege.
“At approximately 5.15pm yesterday, while I was working in my office, four MACC officers arrived unannounced to ‘pick me up’, claiming I was in breach of the notice.
“When I informed them that I would not comply with an unlawful direction in breach of my duty to my client, they persisted.
“Their conduct was unnecessary, intimidating, and contrary to the standards expected of a lawful investigation. It is nothing short of harassment,” he said in a statement today.
Mahajoth said his lawyers, Latheefa Koya, N. Surendran, and Rajesh Nagarajan, arrived swiftly as he was attempting to explain the legal position to the officers.
He said the officers issued two fresh notices yesterday, which he claimed amounted to an admission that their initial attempt to compel his attendance had no lawful basis.
The new notices require his attendance under Section 30(1)(a) of the MACC Act 2009, and demand certain documents and a mobile phone under Section 30(1)(b) of the same Act.
As such, he said he will appear at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 10am today for questioning.
“I accepted these fresh notices under strong protest, and I will attend the questioning at MACC HQ under the same protest.
“I am bound by solicitor–client privilege. This has been explained clearly in my lawyers’ letter dated 30 November, and it is a fundamental principle of Malaysian law and the wider Commonwealth.
“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.
“I will not be intimidated or compelled to violate my sacrosanct duties as counsel to Albert Tei, irrespective of consequences to me,” he said.
Yesterday, MACC said Mahajoth was believed to be in possession of exhibits relevant to its investigation.
MACC also said that solicitor–client privilege is limited in scope, noting that while it protects confidential legal advice, it does not exempt a lawyer from attending before investigators, shield materials unrelated to legal advice, or prevent questioning if the counsel is a material witness
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
