KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 9): Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan, who is former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s son-in-law and wanted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), said he was never arrested by the anti-graft agency, and was never called by the agency for a meeting or to assist in any investigation of any kind.
He also claimed that he had informed the MACC that he was travelling overseas.
In a statement issued through his lawyer Datuk Dr Baljit Singh Sidhu of Shukor Baljit & Partners on Wednesday (Aug 9), Adlan denied that he is a fugitive on the run as stated by a MACC's statement on Aug 7, which had asked individuals with information about Adlan as well as his lawyer Mansoor Saat to come forward.
“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 of terms, such insinuation,” the statement read.
The statement went on to clarify that Adlan was contacted by an MACC officer, to which Adlan had responded to in the form of a letter dated June 3, 2023, to inform the MACC that he was going overseas for business.
“In that letter our client has stated that he is travelling overseas for business and will return once these affairs are attended to.”
In that letter, Adlan also mentioned that there was “witch-hunting and finger-pointing being orchestrated against him to his utter detriment” by the MACC.
Baljit said they had not received any form of reply from the MACC to date.
Adlan also denied any suggestion that he is not contactable and stated that he is in communication with the investigating officer.
“He (Adlan) 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,” Baljit said.
“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,” added Baljit.
Adlan, who is married to Datin Seri Nabilah Mahiaddin — Muhyiddin's second child, said 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 (MACC) press release so near to the six state elections (on Aug 12), to our client, suggests that there is political undertone to the entire process. The press release seeking assistance to locate him is thus totally unnecessary,” said Baljit.
In the statement, Baljit also pointed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's remarks about Adlan at a political rally recently. “Our client is also surprised that the prime minister has seen fit to comment on this issue which suggests that there is some plot at play.”
The statement added that Adlan will return to Malaysia as soon as possible to answer all questions and to assist the MACC with any investigation so long as the elements of threats and persecution are eliminated.