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LFL demands answers from MACC over alleged harassment, intimidation of lawyers | Scoop
Lawyers for Liberty has said the MACC should not interfere with the right of any member of the public to engage legal representation. – Scoop file pic, June 11, 2024
News

LFL demands answers from MACC over alleged harassment, intimidation of lawyers

This after agency detained one lawyer at its headquarters, probed another

Main Author Image
Farah Solhi
Updated
5:06 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, to address allegations of intimidation and harassment against two lawyers last week.

At a press conference, LFL director Zaid Malek said that the MACC’s actions against the lawyers were illegal, emphasising that lawyers must be free from intimidation while performing their duties.

The incidents in question involve lawyers Lai Chee Hoe, who was detained at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya from June 4 to 6, and Irwin Lo, who was investigated on June 7.

“This is not what the MACC should do, and it’s a call for concern. Lawyers must be free from intimidation and harassment to advise their clients, and more importantly, members of the public must have the confidence (to exercise their rights) to engage lawyers (in any matter).

“It is not for the MACC to decide what advice these lawyers should give to their clients, nor should they interfere with any member of the public’s right to engage lawyers for any matters of concern. Something urgent must be done because this is not what the MACC or relevant authorities should do,” he said.

Zaid urged immediate action to ensure that such practices ceased, insisting that the MACC should not interfere with legal advice given by lawyers or the public’s right to engage legal services.

He called on the government to protect lawyers from intimidation and harassment, and demanded that Azam assure that no illegal actions would be taken against Lai and Lo.

“No enforcement authorities have the right to ask, or demand for lawyers to stop acting on behalf of their client.

“An act of intimidation or harassment that interferes with the public’s right to get legal representation must be stopped. The MACC must respond (to this),” he said. 

The two lawyers were also present at the press conference held at LFL’s office in Petaling Jaya.

Lai recounted that on June 4, MACC officers visited his office and requested documents related to a client’s property dispute civil case. He was then taken to the MACC’s headquarters and arrested around midnight, leading to his detention until June 6.

He added that he managed to call lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad for legal assistance, and that Amer had appeared for him at the remand proceeding the next day, where the magistrate had granted Lai a four-day remand.

However, Lai said, the MACC had released him on June 6, but on three conditions, including withdrawing himself from the civil case, or not appearing in any press conference and talking about the incident.

In response, Azam denied the allegations, stating that the investigation was conducted properly and was related to suspected embezzlement and power abuse involving the property’s joint management body. – June 11, 2024

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