The Putrajaya Magistrates' Court today ordered the release Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) director A Sundra Rajoo, after the MACC's request for seven-day remand was rejected.
AIAC's lawyers told the court that the MACC had no jurisdiction to arrest Sundra Rajoo, as he is a high officer protected under the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1992 (Act 485).
"The director, who has been designated as a high officer under Act 485, is not liable for any form of detention and arrest under the Diplomatic Privileges (Vienna Convention) Act 1966," lawyers Kamraj Nayagam and Cheow Wee further argued.
Sundra was apprehended at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday.
Cheow said as AIAC is under the Asian African Legal Consultative Organisation, and as such, Sundra was considered a diplomat.
Meanwhile, another lawyer of his, Philip Koh, told Malaysiakini that Sundra had tendered his resignation as AIAC director to protect the centre's good name.
"Yes, he has (resigned) as he desires that AIAC, as an institution, and the office of the director, must be protected," he added.
Sundra came into the spotlight after the MACC raided his office and questioned several of his staff. He was suspected of using government funds to obtain favours from past and present ministers to extend his contract.
This was after anonymous letters were sent to several people, including the MACC, attorney-general Tommy Thomas, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and inspector-general of police Mohd Fuzi Harun. - Mkini
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