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THE wife of prominent businessman Albert Tei has formally demanded that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) provide a complete inventory of all property seized during her husband’s detention last Friday, setting a three-day deadline for compliance.
She is seeking full details of each item, including descriptions, identification numbers, the names, ranks, and badge numbers of officers involved, and the date and time of seizure.
Her lawyer, Rajesh Nagarajan, confirmed that the same period has been granted to MACC to return any property obtained during the raid on the family home, warning that failure to comply could prompt legal action including a judicial review.
“If the demand is not complied with within three days, we will take legal action without further notice to obtain a court order to compel the inventory of seized items to be released. The judicial review is also intended to secure a mandatory order for the return of property that was unlawfully detained, as well as a declaration of non-compliance and the unconstitutionality of the procedures carried out by MACC,” he said.
The raid on Albert Tei’s residence reportedly involved officers executing a search warrant, during which Tei was handcuffed and detained. He is currently remanded for six days under Section 16 of the MACC Act 2009 as part of the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, Tei’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, has rejected MACC’s claims that he is in possession of “key evidence”, describing the allegations as “false and outrageous”.
He also denied holding a mobile phone belonging to Tei and emphasised that all requested documents are protected by solicitor–client privilege.
“At approximately 5.15pm yesterday, while I was working in my office, four MACC officers arrived unannounced to ‘pick me up’, claiming I was in breach of the notice.
“When I informed them that I would not comply with an unlawful direction in breach of my duty to my client, they persisted.
Their conduct was unnecessary, intimidating, and contrary to the standards expected of a lawful investigation. It is nothing short of harassment,” Mahajoth told the New Straits Times.
He confirmed that he will attend questioning at MACC headquarters in Putrajaya under protest, asserting, “I am bound by solicitor–client privilege. This has been explained clearly in my lawyers’ letter dated 30 November, and it is a fundamental principle of Malaysian law and the wider Commonwealth.
“I cannot lawfully disclose privileged communications or materials, and it is unfathomable that the MACC appears unable or unwilling to understand this basic legal safeguard. I will not be intimidated or compelled to violate my sacrosanct duties as counsel to Albert Tei, irrespective of consequences to me.”
MACC maintains that solicitor–client privilege does not exempt a lawyer from attending investigations, nor does it protect materials unrelated to legal advice or prevent questioning if the counsel is a material witness. - December 1, 2025