JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) obtained a seven-day remand for Johor state executive councillor Datuk Abd Latif Bandi to assist in the probe of a real estate corruption scandal here.
The remand order, which will last until March 16, was granted at the Johor Baru sessions court today.
Latif arrived at the Johor Baru Court Complex here in a Toyota 4Runner at 9.12am.
Press photographers and reporters had waited for an hour before Latif, clad in orange lock-up attire, finally alighted from the sports utility vehicle.
Five lawyers were seen talking to his supporters while he was still in the car.
Latif, who was not handcuffed, smiled to his supporters and reporters as he was brought into the court.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Khazrin Haffiz Khalil was present in the proceedings.
The remand order was issued by registrar Nur Sulehan Abdul Rahman to allow the MACC to conduct investigations under Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act, and Section 4 of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti -Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Later, supporters were seen hugging Latif as he left the court.
A total of seven people, including the son and special officer to Latif, were detained by the MACC since Feb 24 to facilitate investigations into the case.
The MACC had also frozen RM15.5 million in 45 bank accounts and seized 21 luxury cars, five high-powered motorcycles and RM500,000 in local and foreign currencies.
On March 1, the state executive council allowed for a request from Latif to take leave from his state government duties for an undetermined amount of time.
He was arrested at about 10.50am at the Johor MACC office here yesterday.