MUHYIDDIN’S SON-IN-LAW ‘ON THE BRINK OF FINANCIAL RUIN’ – ACCUSES MACC OF ‘WITCH-HUNTING’ – YET ADMITS HIS ACCOUNTS FROZEN, TRAVEL BAN IMPOSED ON HIS PASSPORT

Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin’s son-in-law has denied that he is a fugitive and promised to return to Malaysia if there are no elements of “threats and persecution”.

In a press statement issued through his lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu this afternoon, Muhammad Adlan Berhan said he left the country legally.

This was in response to MACC’s statement on Aug 7 that it was on the hunt for Adlan, 48, and Mansoor Saat, 69.

“In so far as the press release sought to convey the impression that our client is a fugitive on the run, our client categorically rejects, in the strongest terms, such insinuation.

“Our client, like any other free citizen of Malaysia, has the right of movement and travel, including overseas, and more so to conduct his business in any part of the world.

“The exercise of these rights by our client should not be construed or mischaracterised as an attempt to avoid or stall investigation,” read the statement from Adlan’s counsel.

Baljit said his client also noted that before he left Malaysia, he was “never arrested and never called” by MACC for a meeting or to assist in any investigation.

Adlan is married to Nabilah, Muhyiddin’s second child.

Baljit said his client was subsequently contacted by an MACC officer and had responded in writing in the form of a letter dated June 3.

The lawyer explained that in the letter, Adlan stated he is travelling overseas for business and will return once these affairs are attended to.

Tentative date

Baljit said Adlan gave a tentative date of return and impressed upon the MACC that there is “witch-hunting and finger-pointing being orchestrated against him to his utter detriment”.

“To date, our client has not received a formal reply from the MACC,” the lawyer said.

Baljit said Adlan, in the same letter, also highlighted the alleged abnormalities in the MACC’s actions in the investigation, including that:

• his company’s account is frozen without notice and/or cause

• his account is also frozen without notice and/or cause

• he is being harassed incessantly by the officers of the MACC

• he was threatened to be portrayed as a fugitive through media release, with his name to be placed under Interpol’s red notice, and to be arrested and detained upon arrival in Malaysia

“Our client has also learnt that a travel ban has been imposed on him as his passport has been classified as such by the Immigration Department.

“Our client vehemently denies any suggestion that he is not contactable and states that he is in communication with the investigating officer in charge of the investigation.

“He has always stated that he is prepared to cooperate in any investigation as required by law but will not countenance any threats against him and his family.

“The matters stated above clearly established that the investigation is not being conducted objectively within the legal framework and thus threatening the liberty of our client which is protected by the (Federal) Constitution.

Brink of financial ruin

“Our client states that he is being unlawfully targeted and for that reason, he has suffered immeasurable damage and is on the brink of financial ruin. His reputation is severely damaged. Personally, he has suffered mental anguish and trauma. His young family continues to suffer,” Baljit contended.

The lawyer said his client made it clear that he is not a politician and is aghast at any attempt to use him as a tool to obtain political mileage by anyone including the investigative apparatus.

“He is not a soft target to be used to get at or to exact comeuppance at any politician. The timing of the press release so near to the state elections, to our client, suggests that there is political undertone to the entire process.

“The media release seeking assistance to locate him is thus totally unnecessary. It is also an attempt to malign and humiliate our client. Our client is also surprised that the prime minister has seen it fit to comment on this issue which suggests that there is some plot at play.

“Our client categorically states that he is innocent and is entitled not to be tried in the court of public opinion by any enforcement agencies.

“He is ready and willing to assist in any investigation and have full faith in the judicial process, but at the same time, will jealously protect his rights and liberty from being taken away not in accordance with law”, Baljit said.

The lawyer added that his client stressed that he will not hesitate in commencing action to protect, preserve and vindicate his rights as protected by the Federal Constitution and the laws.

MKINI

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