Former MEIO chief remanded

PUTRAJAYA: The former director-general of the controversial Malaysian External Investi­gation Organisation (MEIO) has been ­remanded for five days for alleged misappropriation of GE14 funds.

Magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim allowed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s application for Datuk Hasanah Abdul Hamid to be remanded until Sunday.

Hasanah’s lawyer Datuk Shaharudin Ali said the MACC requested for the maximum seven days but was only granted five days by the magistrate.

The court also denied Shaharudin access to Hasanah during her remand.

“MACC filed a motion to prevent me from seeing my client for the duration of the remand, and the court allowed it.

“The ruling does not make sense and I will be filing an objection with the High Court (today),” Shaharudin told reporters after the court hearing.

Hasanah is being investigated under Section 23 (1) of the MACC Act of using her office, or position, for gratification.

MACC sources said Hasanah would be questioned on how her officers came to be in possession of about US$400,000 (RM1.6mil).

Sources said the money was believed to be part of the funds given to MEIO by the pre­vious administration.

Hasanah arrived at the Putrajaya magistrate’s court complex at 9am yesterday in an MACC vehicle.

Handcuffed and attired in the orange MACC lock-up outfit, Hasanah shied away from photographers by covering her face with a piece of cloth.

Hasanah was arrested at the MACC headquarters at 4.15pm on Tuesday when she showed up to give a statement to the anti-graft body.

A letter written by Hasanah to CIA director Gina Haspel seeking the United States’ support for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s adminis­tration had created controversy.