A lawyer’s judicial review application to challenge MACC orders, claiming they violated client privilege, was dismissed by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today dismissed a lawyer’s application for leave to commence a judicial review against two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission orders.
Lawyer Mahajoth Singh had sought to challenge the MACC notices, which he claimed violated lawyer-client privilege concerning his client, businessman Albert Tei.
Judge Alice Yoke Yee Ching ruled that matters relating to the investigative processes of enforcement authorities are not amenable to judicial review.
The court also found the allegation that the MACC acted in bad faith by issuing the notices had not been established.
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“For these reasons, I do not find that an argument has been made for leave to be given,“ said the judge.
Mahajoth was seeking an order to quash the notices dated November 29 and 30.
The notices required him to attend questioning and produce documents under Sections 30(1)(a) and (b) of the MACC Act.
Mahajoth stated he received the orders after Tei was detained by the commission on November 28.
Tei was taken to the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya allegedly without any reasonable explanation.
Among the items requested were Tei’s mobile phone and documents relating to purchases of furniture and clothing.
The MACC also sought a camera and copies of WhatsApp conversations between Tei and several individuals.
Federal Counsel V. Krishna Priya appeared for the MACC in the proceedings.
Counsel N. Surendran and Rajesh Nagarajan acted for lawyer Mahajoth Singh. – Bernama
