Rajesh Nagarajan has demanded an explanation from MACC and the Home Minister over the denial of his client’s constitutional right to representation.

PETALING JAYA: The lawyer representing Daim Zainuddin’s eldest son has alleged that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) threatened his client with arrest if he demanded that he be accompanied by a lawyer during questioning.

Rajesh Nagarajan has demanded an explanation from MACC and the Home Minister over the denial of his client’s constitutional right to representation.

He also wants assurances that Wira Dani Abdul Daim’s rights and safety will be protected.

Rajesh said in a statement that Wira Dani was summoned by the MACC yesterday to give his statement as part of the anti-corruption agency’s ongoing investigation into his father, former Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin.

He said Wira Dani had reported to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

Rajesh added that despite repeated requests from Wira Dani to allow him to be present during the interrogation, MACC officers had prevented him from being with his client.

He said everyone has the right to legal assistance and that denying someone their right to legal advice and assistance is a “flagrant violation” of Wira Dani’s constitutional rights.

Wira Dani Abdul Daim.

MACC officers then threatened that if Wira Dani insisted on being accompanied by his lawyer, he would be arrested immediately.

“This is arrogant and a gross abuse of power by the MACC. The threat of arrest had no legal basis and was intended to unlawfully intimidate Wira into giving up his right to have his lawyer present.”

Rajesh said that as a result of MACC’s “arrogant and illegal actions”, Wira was interrogated for hours without the presence of his lawyer.

He added that such “lawless behaviour” by the MACC cannot be tolerated.

“We urge the MACC leader, the Minister of Home Affairs and the government to immediately stop the illegal practice of denying citizens their right to legal advice,” he said, referring to the tragic death of Teoh Beng Hock, who was also denied legal advice during interrogation.

Teoh, then political advisor to Selangor executive councillor and DAP Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the 5th floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on 16 July 2009.

He was held there overnight and interrogated by MACC, whose headquarters in Selangor was on the 14th floor.

FMT has asked the MACC for comment.