Muhyiddin’s son-in-law denies he is evading MACC
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan, the son-in-law of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who is currently under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), has denied that he is evading authorities.
Datuk Dr Baljit Singh Sidhu, who is representing Muhammad Adlan, said his client categorically rejects the notion that he is a “fugitive on the run”.
Baljit said Muhammad Adlan has the right of movement and travel like any other free citizen of the country, more so to conduct his business in any part of the world.“The exercise of these rights by our client should not be construed or mischaracterised as an attempt to avoid or stall the investigation,” he said in a statement.
On Aug 7, the MACC said that Muhammad Adlan and lawyer Mansoor Saat were being sought to assist an investigation into corrupt practices relating to the registration, acquisition and storage of biometric data of foreign workers.The MACC was reported to have said that checks with the Immigration Department showed that Muhammad Adlan and Mansoor left the country on May 17 and May 21 respectively, and that there were no records of the two returning to Malaysia.
Baljit said his client was never arrested or called by the MACC for a meeting or to assist in any investigation before he left the country lawfully.
He said Muhammad Adlan had been contacted by a MACC officer and had responded through a letter dated March 3.
“In that letter, our client stated that he is travelling overseas for business and will return once these affairs are attended to.
“He gave a tentative date of return and impressed upon the MACC that there is witch-hunting and finger-pointing being orchestrated against him to his utter detriment. To date, our client has not received a formal reply from the MACC,” Baljit said.
Muhammad Adlan, who is now under a travel ban, denied suggestions that he was uncontactable and said he was prepared to cooperate.
He also questioned the timing of MACC’s press statement, which he stated was so close to the state elections, suggesting a political undertone to the process.
“Our client states that he will certainly return to Malaysia as soon as possible to answer all questions and to assist the MACC with any investigation, so long as the elements of threats and persecution are eliminated,” Baljit said.
Meanwhile, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the agency would apply for an Interpol Red Notice to help in their search for Muhammad Adlan and Mansoor.
“We will also ask the police and the Immigration Department for their help in freezing the passports of both these individuals.
“We believe they are in a particular country but we cannot disclose which country that is,” he told reporters after attending a ceremony to mark the conclusion of a MACC training course yesterday.
Azam said both men were believed to have fled the country after they were placed on the MACC wanted list.
“We had to issue a statement to search for both men after efforts failed to contact them to cooperate in an ongoing investigation.
“Both of them are also needed for actions pertaining to prosecution. They were listed as wanted persons after they could not be reached or tracked down,” he said.
