Ex-spy chief to be released tomorrow, says she was 'only following orders'

Former Malaysian External Intelligence Organi­sation (MEIO) director-general Hasanah Abdul Hamid pleaded during her remand hearing today that she was only following orders when carrying out her duties.

This was relayed by Hasanah's lawyer Shaharudin Ali, who also said that the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court only granted a one-day extension to her remand instead of the seven requested by the MACC.

“Hasanah had made a statement to the court this morning. Among others, in gist, she said she was merely performing her duties as the director-general of MEIO under the orders and directions of the Malaysian government,” he said.

Hasanah is expected to be released from MACC custody by 5pm tomorrow.

She was arrested by the commission on Aug 28, and was slapped with a five-day remand the following day.

This is in relation to the alleged misappropriation of funds by government intelligence officers, for which she and seven other officers were arrested.

According to Shaharudin (photo), his client told the court that she did not sleep the night before in anticipation of her release this morning, and was shocked to learn that MACC was seeking an extension of her remand instead.

He said that the commission had given nine reasons for the extension, including locating several missing watches and RM14 million cash.

In addition, the MACC told the court that it is also 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.

The commission are also looking to search Hasanah’s home and find out about her past movements in and out of the country during the seven-day remand period they applied for.

Shaharudin told the court that the original five-day remand should have been adequate, and that his client should not be encumbered by the slow progress of the investigation.

Hasanah, meanwhile, supposedly told the court that Hishammuddin and the Saudi princes had nothing to do with the case.

-Mkini