KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Mahajoth Singh, who represents businessman Albert Tei, has accepted fresh notices to appear for questioning by graft busters under protest.
He said Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission officers issued two new notices under Section 30(1)(a) and Section 30(1)(b) of the MACC Act 2009.
“I accept the fresh notices under strong protest and will comply with questioning at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on Monday (Dec 1), but I will not disclose any communications or documents protected by legal privilege,” he said.
Mahajoth said the MACC’s conduct breached fundamental legal protections and appeared aimed at obstructing his duties as legal counsel.
“It began when my lawyers sent a letter to the MACC on Sunday (Nov 30) protesting the move to question me, which violates solicitor client privilege,” he said.
He said the MACC did not respond to the letter but instead issued a public statement alleging he was in possession of key evidence.
Mahajoth said the claim was false and appeared designed to mislead the public about his role as legal counsel.
According to Mahajoth, four MACC officers arrived unannounced at his office at about 5.15pm on Sunday claiming he had breached a notice.
He said he refused to comply, calling the directive unlawful and contrary to his obligations to his client.
“Their conduct was unnecessary and amounted to harassment,” he said.
He added that his lawyers Latheefa Koya, N. Surendran and Rajesh Nagarajan arrived soon after.
“I cannot lawfully disclose privileged communications or materials,” he said.
Mahajoth also denied possessing any mobile phone allegedly belonging to his client.
