KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today summoned four individuals as part of its investigation into former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin.
Lawyers representing the four told the news portal FMT that they were denied entry to accompany their clients during questioning.
One lawyer, Rajesh Nagarajan said MACC's move to bar entry for lawyers as "oppressive, unlawful, and high-handed.", reported the portal.
"In particular, one of the lawyers representing the individual was with the client in the interview room when suddenly MACC officers rushed in and forced the lawyers to leave.
"MACC thus prevented us from representing and advising our clients," he said, as quoted by FMT.
When queried about the barring, MACC officers allegedly asserted that it was 'a directive from higher authorities'.
"The right to legal representation is sacred and it is completely unacceptable for a person to be denied the right to consult his lawyer. The MACC is acting in an abhorrent manner," Rajesh said.
He said despite receiving less than 24 hours' notice, all four clients were cooperative in recording their statements at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.
He also expressed that the actions taken by MACC were "extraordinary and unwarranted," hence calling on MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki to clarify the reason lawyers had been prohibited from accompanying their clients.
Rajesh emphasised that this instance is not the first time the issue of lawyers being prevented from representing their clients has been raised.
On Dec 23, MACC confirmed that it is investigating Daim over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
The confirmation came about after the commission on Dec 18 seized the 58-storey Ilham Tower, a commercial property in the Kuala Lumpur city centre reportedly owned by Daim's family.
On Dec 28, Daim in a statement, labelled MACC's investigation against him and his family a "political witch hunt."
He said neither he nor his family had been involved in any corruption or wrongdoing, adding that his efforts to establish what offences he allegedly committed to warrant the probe had been rebuffed by the MACC.