In a letter to MACC, lawyer Farhan Read said he happened to come across Azlan, who was handcuffed and being escorted by MACC officers, at the Putrajaya magistrates’ court.

He said he had sought an explanation from the officer and requested to talk to Azlan, who is under remand until tomorrow.

“We were told that we could not speak to our client. No further explanation was given as to why he was being taken to the court,” he said, adding that this violated Azlan’s right to legal representation under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution.

“MACC should have informed us of its intention to take our client to court. The right to be heard includes the MACC’s responsibility to ensure that a suspected person is not taken to a court without the presence of their lawyer, once a lawyer is appointed.”

Farhan said the magistrate subsequently informed him that MACC had applied to release Azlan from remand under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

However, the officer apparently informed the magistrate later that they received new orders to retract the application and would continue with the existing remand order until tomorrow.

“Therefore, we hope an explanation could be provided on the matter,” Farhan said, addressing it to MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.

Azlan was arrested on Tuesday to assist in MACC’s investigation into alleged bribery in connection with two highway construction contracts worth RM1.67 billion.

MACC also arrested two other Prolintas officials as well as five individuals who own a company and allegedly offered the bribes.