Ex-spy chief freed from MACC custody

Former Malaysian External Intelligence Organi­sation (MEIO) director-general Hasanah Abdul Hamid was released from MACC custody today.

The lawyer representing the former spy chief, Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, said magistrate Nik Muizzuddin Nik Muhammad freed Hasanah and rejected the MACC's request for her to pay a deposit of RM50,000 to secure the release.

"Initially, the MACC had requested to the magistrate for Hasanah to hand over her passport to the commission and pay a deposit of RM50,000.

"But we objected to it (the deposit). This is because there is no legal justification for the client to pay the deposit unless MACC can provide sensible reasons behind the request, in which case they could not," said Mohd Khairul, who was present with co-counsel Shaharudin Ali.

Mohd Khairul further explained that the MACC was trying to get Hasanah to pay the deposit according to Section 492c of the MACC Act, but both lawyers argued to the magistrate that Section 492b sufficed, which is to release a person under remand without the need for a deposit.

He added that Hasanah, however, has to hand over her passport to MACC but she can write to the commission if she needs the document to travel abroad.

Earlier, Hasanah, donning a floral shirt and with hands uncuffed, arrived at the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court at 10.30am. She covered her face with a black veil as she was ushered to the chambers by MACC officers.

Mohd Khairul (right) said when the magistrate asked Hasanah on her condition while in MACC's custody, she praised the commission, claiming that the treatment by the officers was beyond satisfaction.

"She respected MACC (officers) who carried their duties professionally. They did not go overboard," he said.

Asked whether the graft buster would continue to investigate Hasanah, Mohd Khairul said, "it's up to MACC, but we hope there is no more probe against her."

Hasanah was arrested by MACC on Aug 28 and slapped with a five-day remand the following day. Yesterday, the remand was extended by a day after MACC failed to obtain a seven-day extension.

The commission has been investigating the former spy chief and seven other government intelligence officers in relation to the alleged misappropriation of funds of up to US$12 million meant for the recent general election.

Yesterday, Shaharudin claimed that MACC was seeking to question former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein and two Saudi princes over the case, as well as to recall three MEIO officers from Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, Hasanah supposedly told the court that Hishammuddin and the Saudi princes had nothing to do with the case and that she was only performing her duties as the MEIO director-general, under the orders and directions of the Malaysian government.

Later, MACC chief Shukri Abdull denied that Hishammuddin was to be questioned.

At a press conference on Aug 30, MACC deputy chief commissioner of operations Azam Baki said that a total of US$6.3 million in cash was seized from several locations.

The largest stash, a US$4.07 million haul, was found in a condominium in Cyberjaya following the arrest of a 47-year-old businessperson in Kelantan.

Investigators are still looking for another US$5 million.

-Mkini