Crime & Courts

Lawyer wanted by MACC denies he is on the run

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Mansoor Saat has denied that he is on the run to escape prosecution.

In a statement today, Mansoor said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is aware of his whereabouts and he had assured them previously of his commitment to return upon finishing his business matters. 

Mansoor claimed that he has been put under relentless harassment and said he would only return to Malaysia as long as he is not being persecuted. 

Mansoor, together with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's son-in-law, Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan are wanted to assist the MACC in their investigations into the misappropriation of millions of ringgit in funds related to the registration recruitment and biometric storage of data of foreign workers for a ministry. 

"That press release (released by MACC on Aug 7) has painted me in the worst of light, that I am running away to avoid prosecution. There is no greater falsehood than that.

"I am not a fugitive. I am also not on the run," he said.

Mansoor claimed that the MACC was trying to cast aspersions on his integrity, and he rejected the false narrative painted to his name. 

"The investigating officer of the MACC, despite knowing the truth has sought to cast aspersions on my integrity.

"My leaving the country, which was done lawfully, is being turned against me, as a sign of guilty conduct.

"I reject that false narrative with all the forces at my disposal," he said.

Mansoor, who is the shareholder and director of Ners Sdn Bhd said MACC had in mid-March sought his assistance for an investigation into alleged bribery involving government officers in relation to the change of the receiving account for the concession proceeds from the Home Ministry to NERS' operation account, instead of to the scheduled and sanctioned project account. 

"I cooperated fully. It took three days. MACC did not show me any evidence to support the allegation of bribery or corrupt practices.

"During the three-day investigation, a senior officer of MACC came to me and persuaded me to transfer NERS' shares registered in my name to a new shareholder of S5 Systems Sdn Bhd (S5), NERS' operating company at the material time. 

"It was impressed upon me that if I agree to the transfer, my ordeal would be over. 

"A few days after the investigation, I received a letter drafted by S5 for me to effect the transfer of my shares in NERS to S5. 

"It is obvious that what I am going through now is caused by my refusal to transfer the shares," he claimed. 

Mansoor said in his subsequent meeting, the MACC investigating officer indicated that his offence was for authorising the change of the receiving account of the concession proceeds from the company's project account to the company's operation account and the subsequent transfers of the money from the operation account.

He claimed that he was not informed of when he would be charged but he maintained his stand that no offence was committed and the transactions were done lawfully without him benefiting from it. 

He said decisions made in respect to the NERS' accounts were made in its best interest considering the impact of Covid-19 on the company's financial health and without affecting its obligations t bondholders and other creditors.

"The amount of funding made by shareholders to NERS to meet its obligations throughout the contract or concession period was also considered. 

"I vehemently deny any suggestion that there was embezzlement of funds from the company. The record will speak for itself. 

"I earnestly believe the MACC has no jurisdiction over the transactions involving the company as there is no element of either abuse of power or bribery involved. It is simply a matter of normal commercial transactions," he stressed.

After attending to his bail obligations, Mansoor said he left the country in mid-May 2023 for a business trip while also taking a needed break.

He was contacted by an officer from MACC which he claimed he had responded in a letter dated June 3 this year informing them that he was travelling overseas and would return once the business matters have been attended to.

He claimed to have not received any formal reply.

However, the officer subsequently insisted he come back at the height of the political campaign for the state election, which, however, he declined due to his unfinished business. 

His refusal has led to his personal bank accounts together with his wife's being frozen without notice, a travel ban being imposed against his passport and him being harassed relentlessly by MACC officers, with threats of vilification and character assassination, Mansoor claimed. 

He, however, is adamant about not allowing himself to be bullied nor part with his shares to benefit others. 

"Any statement that I am not contactable is not true, the investigating officer in charge of the investigation is in the know of my whereabouts.

"I have cooperated and will continue to render assistance in any investigation as required within the legal framework.

"I will however not allow myself to be bullied into submission and to part with my shares to benefit some corporate players close to some MACC officers," he said.

He believed that he has been unlawfully implicated and now suffering as a collateral damage because of his business association with Adlan.

"I believe that there is a political undertone in this entire episode which is very unfortunate.

"I am a businessman as well as an advocate and solicitor who has business associations with a lot of other people and I am surprised that my association with Adlan is singled out," he said. 

He called on the MACC's  release of a media statement seeking assistance to locate his whereabouts as "bad taste" and totally unnecessary.

"It serves to enforce my belief that that is an ongoing effort at smearing and assassinating characters and reputations, including mine.

"I state emphatically that I am innocent. 

"I assert my right to fairness and reject any attempt by MACC to use the media to influence public opinion of me or any other persons as being guilty of some offences and in the process to shore up its flagging reputation or to appease the political dispensation

"I am saddened that the MACC is being weaponised in such deplorable fashion," he added.  

Mansoor stressed that he has his faith in the judicial system and thus he will return to Malaysia and face prosecution for as long as he is not being persecuted. 

"I am in consultation with my solicitors on the press release as well as my next course of action including for the launching of a suit against the MACC for the abuse of power and misfeasance in public office," he said. 

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