Rajesh Nagarajan has demanded an explanation from MACC and the home minister on the denial of his client’s constitutional right to representation.

He also wants an assurance that Wira Dani Abdul Daim’s rights and safety will be protected.

In a statement, Rajesh said that Wira Dani was summoned by the MACC yesterday for his statement to be taken in the anti-graft agency’s ongoing probe into the latter’s father, former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

He said Wira Dani had presented himself at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

Rajesh added that despite repeated requests by Wira Dani to have him present during the questioning, MACC officers had prevented him from being with his client.

He said every person is entitled to legal representation and that denying one’s right to legal advice and representation is a “flagrant breach” of Wira Dani’s constitutional rights.

“MACC officers then threatened that if Wira Dani insisted on being accompanied by his lawyer, he would be arrested immediately.

“This is high-handed and a gross abuse of power by the MACC. The threat of arrest had no basis in law and was calculated to unlawfully intimidate Wira into surrendering his right to have his lawyer present.”

Rajesh said as a result of MACC’s “arrogant and unlawful actions”, Wira was forced to undergo hours of interrogation without the presence of his lawyer.

He added that such “lawless conduct” by the MACC cannot be tolerated.

“We urge the MACC chief, the home minister and the government to forthwith cease the illegal practice of denying citizens their right to legal advice,” he said, citing the tragic death of Teoh Beng Hock, who was also denied legal representation during questioning.

Teoh, then a political aide to Selangor executive councillor and DAP’s Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the 5th floor service corridor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam on July 16, 2009.

He had been held there overnight and questioned by MACC, whose Selangor headquarters was on the 14th floor.

FMT has reached out to the MACC for a comment.