The seizure of items belonging to businessperson Albert Tei during MACC’s raid at his home on Nov 28 was legal, the graftbuster’s strategic communication division said today.
It said MACC officers gave Tei a list of items they were seizing - including a mobile phone, an iPad and a digital video recorder they claimed was evidence - and that the businessperson signed the list on the same day.
A movable property seizure list document, issued as per Section 33 of the MACC Act 2009, was also handed over to him, it added.
“MACC strongly denies the baseless allegations that MACC officers seized Tei’s items without following procedures.
“MACC always carries out its duties in accordance with the provisions of the law and regulations set out in its jurisdiction,” the division said in a statement.
‘Comply or we initiate judicial review’
MACC was responding to claims in a letter it received from law firm Messrs Raj & Sach, representing Tei’s wife, Lee Pei Rie.
The law firm demanded that the anti-graft body provide the full and signed seizure inventory as per Section 31 of the MACC Act, and return all items seized during the raid.
“(We also demand) written clarification of our client’s legal status as to whether (she) is regarded as a witness, a suspect, or otherwise under MACC’s investigation,” said the letter, which demanded these requests be fulfilled within the next three days.
If the MACC fails to do so, the firm said it will proceed with a judicial review application at the High Court to seek orders to compel the issuance of a seizure list, the mandatory return of unlawfully detained property, and declarations of illegality and procedural non-compliance.
“(We will also) lodge formal complaints with the MACC complaints committee and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission,” the law firm added.
Scandal implicates PM’s former aide
The raid and arrest followed Tei’s recent accusation against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former political aide, Shamsul Iskandar Akin.
The businessperson claimed he had spent RM629,000 on Shamsul after being assured that the PKR man could help recoup money channelled to politicians in Sabah.
Besides funding renovations, appliances, and furnishings for two properties, Tei alleged he had spent thousands of ringgit on premium cigars and tailored suits for Shamsul, who also purportedly requested money from the businessperson while travelling abroad.
Both Shamsul and Tei, as well as a woman accused of being the Malacca PKR chief’s proxy, were arrested on Friday and remanded for six days starting Nov 29. - Mkini
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