Businessperson Albert Tei and his lawyer Mahajoth Singh are not ruling out a civil suit against MACC and the government over the anti-graft agency's raid on Tei's residence last month.
However, the legal counsel said their immediate priority at this juncture is to ensure that the law is upheld.
"This is a matter of public interest, particularly to ensure that enforcement agencies, including the MACC, act within the bounds of the law and do not engage in unlawful conduct or unnecessary intimidation, including the use or threat of firearms.
"At this stage, our focus remains on accountability and transparency.
"That said, we do not exclude any legal remedies, including civil proceedings, which will be pursued in due course," Mahajoth (above, left) told Malaysiakini.
He was commenting on Bersatu leader Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz's suggestion that Tei and Mahajoth could follow the footsteps of lawyer Siti Kasim and her client, who sued police and the government for an unlawful raid on her residence in 2018, where the authorities arrested her client.
The case saw Kuala Lumpur High Court awarding Siti and Anis Nur Izzatty Ruslan RM274,375 in damages on Dec 19 after ruling that the police raid was unlawful as officers failed to contact the occupants first.
"Due to unlawful raid and arrest, Siti Kasim won her suit and was awarded (about) RM270,000 in damages. If Tei sues MACC and the government, how much do you think he can get?
"Any lawyer can share information or their experience on this?" Tun Faisal asked on Facebook.
Claims of excessive force
On Nov 28, a group of MACC operatives in full tactical gear - including bulletproof vests and balaclavas - raided Tei's house in Puchong, Selangor and put the businessperson in handcuffs before escorting him into an unmarked black sedan.
His wife Lee Pei Rie later raised concerns over the manner of the operation, claiming that the raiding party had barged into their home through the main door before several of them put handcuffs on Tei.
One of them also allegedly pointed a gun at Tei.
Once the officers were settled with Tei, Lee alleged that her other family members were instructed to move to another corner.
Subsequently, she claimed that the officers confiscated their mobile phones, including the children’s, purportedly to delete videos and images from the devices.
Police have opened an inquiry paper to investigate the operation following Lee's report.
However, Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar had since indicated that their initial probe had yet to find evidence that MACC had pointed a gun at Tei, prompting Mahajoth to reiterate his call for authorities to release video recordings documenting the raid. - Mkini
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