Orange attire, handcuffs were MACC procedures, not penalties: Azam Baki

KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has defended the agency’s decision to make businessman Albert Tei wear its orange lock-up uniform and handcuff him, insisting that the measures were part of standard procedures and not a form of punishment. Azam said the actions were carried out in accordance with MACC Chief Commissioner’s Directive No. 2/2020, which governs the use of lock-up attire and handcuffs, according to FMT. He said federal counsel had advised him that the directive did not violate Article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution, which safeguards personal liberty, as the measures were procedural in nature and did not represent a punishment or imply that an individual had been found guilty of any offence. Azam made the remarks in response to a suit filed by Tei at the High Court in January, challenging MACC’s decision to place him in the orange lock-up attire and restrain him with handcuffs despite him not having been convicted of any offence. Tei is seeking general damages and declarations that MACC’s actions were unlawful and unconstitutional. He named Azam, MACC and the government as defendants in the suit. In his affidavit opposing Tei’s originating summons, Azam also dismissed the businessman’s claim that the use of the lock-up uniform breached Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. Azam maintained that the attire was used in accordance with laws and procedures governing detention. He further argued that Tei had failed to explain specifically how the use of the uniform amounted to a breach of Article 8(1), apart from alleging that MACC’s actions were unreasonable. The affidavit also outlined MACC’s attempts to meet Tei on Nov 26 last year following instructions from its assistant commissioner, Fadzley Abdul Jalil. Azam said the first attempt was unsuccessful after a woman who identified herself as Tei’s domestic helper informed officers that the businessman was not at home. He added that the team leader later received a call from a man who identified himself as Tei’s lawyer, Mahajoth Singh, requesting that MACC officers not disturb his client. Azam denied all allegations made by Tei except those expressly admitted, adding that federal counsel would present the necessary legal arguments during the hearing. Azam, whose tenure ended on May 12 following the expiry of his contract, is seeking to have Tei’s originating summons dismissed with costs. The hearing has been fixed for Oct 26, according to FMT. - September 10, 2026 The post Orange attire, handcuffs were MACC procedures, not penalties: Azam Baki appeared first on Scoop .