KUALA LUMPUR: A human rights group has accused the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) of intimdation and wrongful detention of a lawyer over a strata management case.
At a press conference, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) director Zaid Malek said lawyers Lai Chee Hoe and Irwin Lo were questioned by MACC. They were told to provide documents related to their cases with the same client, which breached client-attorney privileges.
Both lawyers were present during the session.
"These are privileged documents and communications, and the MACC has no authority to demand them," said Zaid.
"Why should the MACC harass and intimidate lawyers for performing their duties?
"This harassment undermines the administration of justice.
"Lawyers must be free to advise their clients without fear of intimidation," he added.
Zaid added that the criminal justice system must be safeguarded because if lawyers were harassed, people would be afraid to engage them.
"This broader issue of intimidation affects the public's right to legal representation."
Chee Hoe said during the altercation he was representing his client in the High Court.
"MACC came to my office on June 4, and presented a notice requesting my letter of appointment, among other documents, related to my client.
"I was then told to give further statements at the MACC Putrajaya HQ and arrived there at 4pm to comply with the request.
"I was questioned until 9pm, at which point I was issued a notice of arrest and was detained," he said.
Chee Hoe, represented by his lawyer, was brought before a magistrate for a remand hearing the following day (June 5) and was eventually released on June 6.
"No statements were taken until just before my release, when they hurriedly questioned me on strata management issues, such as parcel owner charges, rates, deed validity, and application in the strata scheme," he said.
"Upon release, I was given three conditions; to not take action or attend a press conference against MACC; to not appear as the chairman of the AGM for my client, and to withdraw from the suit, ceasing representation of my client," added Chee Hoe.
Similarly, Irwin, who represented the same client in the past but on a separate legal suit, was called by the MACC on June 5.
He said he did not know the nature of the matter and was only informed that he needed to provide a statement.
"I was questioned about my involvement with the client, including how I was charged, who appointed me, how much I was billed, and other details of the suit."
When asked further details of the client and whether they represented any particular developer, both lawyers declined to reveal further information.
A Bar Council representative was at the press conference but its representative declined to comment.
New Straits Times has also reached out to MACC chief commisisoner Tan Sri Azam Baki for comment.