Graft probe into lawyer nothing to do with clients he represents, says MACC

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission says it opened an investigation paper on Oct 3 over allegations that several individuals, including a lawyer, were involved in corruption and money laundering while assisting the government in the recovery of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) assets, says Tan Sri Azam Baki (pic).

The MACC chief commissioner said that his officers had received some information on the matter.

"The investigation carried out on the lawyer has nothing to do with any person or party he is representing," he told The Star on Saturday (Oct 7) adding that the MACC is always firm and professional when executing their duties.

Azam also said that the MACC is actively pursuing cases involving corruption, power abuse and money laundering in efforts to recover 1MDB assets.

On Friday (Oct 6), Azam said the lawyer was one of several individuals being investigated under the MACC Act 2009 and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

It was reported that Rosli Dahlan, Muhyiddin's personal lawyer, had claimed that the MACC had raided his law firm.

According to Rosli, 12 MACC officers conducted the raid and demanded access to his office.

Perikatan Nasional leaders have described the MACC's raid on the legal firm representing its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as an abuse of power.