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By Mihar Dias December 2025
Nothing says “Malaysia Madani” quite like a squad of balaclava-clad, gun-toting officers storming the home of a businessman who—at worst—failed to turn up early for an appointment. https://newswav.com/A2511_ePp1zC?s=A_GQ9yYtW&language=en
Yes, Albert Tei may have been “the most important person” in a corruption probe, according to MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki, but the optics? https://newswav.com/A2511_ePp1zC?s=A_GQ9yYtW&language=en
Straight out of a low-budget crime drama where the villain’s greatest crime is hitting the snooze button.
Let’s get this straight: Tei did refuse to show up earlier than his scheduled date. https://newswav.com/A2511_ePp1zC?s=A_GQ9yYtW&language=en
Fine. But does a missed appointment automatically qualify a man for a “royal escort” of armed officers in full balaclava couture?
In a nation plagued with real criminal syndicates, violent crimes, and everything in between, we apparently now deploy elite, masked tactical units for businessmen who answer slowly to summonses.
Malaysia's very own SWAT aesthetic—just without the credibility Then there’s the small matter of denying access to counsel. Conveniently, Section 28A(9) of the Criminal Procedure Code—our very flexible friend—was invoked. https://newswav.com/A2511_ePp1zC?s=A_GQ9yYtW&language=en
According to Azam, Tei was issued the notice that authorises investigators to deny him communication with lawyers.
Naturally, this was done for noble purposes: urgency, concern about accomplices, safeguarding evidence, protecting witnesses—choose your adventure. There’s a clause for every mood.
Meanwhile, Tei’s lawyer Zaid Malek dutifully turned up, only to be informed that meeting his own client was a luxury item not available at this stage of the investigation. https://newswav.com/A2511_ePp1zC?s=A_GQ9yYtW&language=en
“Professional and fair," Azam assures. https://newswav.com/A2511_ePp1zC?s=A_GQ9yYtW&language=en
Of course. In Malaysia, denial of counsel is totally normal—it happens all the time, as long as you’re “important”.
But what truly elevates this episode into the realm of dark political comedy is the simultaneous arrest of Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar—our former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister—who walked into MACC and was then politely arrested. https://newswav.com/A2511_ePp1zC?s=A_GQ9yYtW&language=en
No balaclava, no guns, no morning drama. Perhaps different skin in the game warrants different dress codes.
Which leads us to the question no one seems to want to ask out loud:
If this is how MACC treats civilians, how will it treat politicians?
Or maybe that question has already been answered—just look at the growing calls within PKR itself.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim, not exactly an opposition firebrand, openly said that PM Anwar Ibrahim should not enjoy immunity if the leaked audio about covert recordings over the Sabah mining scandal is proven genuine. mk.my/7fRf7nX
Brave words in a season when journalists are beaten, whistleblowers are probed, and the state appears increasingly allergic to criticism.
If the video is authenticated, Hassan says, the Prime Minister himself must face a probe. mk.my/7fRf7nX
That, ladies and gentlemen, is where the real test lies. Will MACC march into Seri Perdana in balaclavas and assault rifles? Will officers be deployed with such dramatic flair? Or are “royal escorts” reserved only for businessmen who don't reschedule nicely?
Azam urges the public “not to speculate.” https://newswav.com/A2511_ePp1zC?s=A_GQ9yYtW&language=en
A delightful request, considering the MACC itself has staged this operatic spectacle in broad daylight. When armed, masked men drag away a key witness while denying him a lawyer, the public is practically invited to speculate. Who needs transparency when you can have theatrics?
At the end of the day, the message seems clear:
Some people walk into MACC.
Some people get marched out of their homes at gunpoint.
Some people get questioned.
Some get “escorted”.
Some are protected.
Some are denied lawyers.
And some—if they’re high enough—may never see a balaclava in their vicinity.
But don’t speculate. Just clap obediently at the performance.
After all, the guns, masks, and drama are all for your viewing pleasure in this ever-evolving series called Malaysia: Investigations Without Accountability.
Stay tuned. The next episode might be more enlightening.
(By the way, Shamsul and Albert Tei were brought to court dressed in orange outfits as MACC seeks ramand for both). This is fair treatment for both of them. Right?)
Mihar Dias (mihardias@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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