KUALA LUMPUR – The last resort for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is to charge Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan – the son-in-law of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – in absentia as the authorities have failed to locate him.
MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki said he is confident that Muhammad Adlan will be found and brought back to Malaysia.
“Charges filed in absentia is the last choice. I believe he can still be found and brought back to face charges,” he told the media at the National Anti-Corruption Summit, here today.
So far, the MACC has yet to pinpoint Muhammad Adlan’s location after he went overseas even though the authorities have applied for an Interpol red notice against him.
Earlier, the MACC said it was ready to slap charges of criminal breach of trust against Muhammad Adlan.
“We (MACC) have completed the investigation into him (Muhammad Adlan) and we’re ready to charge him. However, the authorities are still looking for him, as he has not returned to the country.
“I cannot remember specifically what provisions of the law the charges are under. But if I’m not mistaken… it’s CBT. A few charges under CBT,” said Azam.
Last year, MACC sought Muhammad Adlan and Mansoor Saat, a lawyer, director and shareholder of NERS Sdn Bhd, to assist in an investigation into corrupt practices related to the registration, acquisition and storage of biometric data of foreign workers at a ministry.
On August 9, Muhammad Adlan, through his lawyer, said he would definitely return to Malaysia as soon as possible to answer all questions and assist the MACC with any investigation, as long as elements of threats and persecution against him were eliminated.
Mansoor also dismissed allegations that he was on the run and said he left Malaysia legally to attend to business matters and had cooperated with the MACC, which knew his whereabouts. – February 29, 2024