'Charging Muhyiddin's son-in-law in absentia is the last option' - Azam

KUALA LUMPUR - The option of charging former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's son-in-law, Datuk Seri Muhammad Adlan Berhan in absentia is the last resort for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in taking legal action against him in relation to a corruption case.

Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said however, the anti-graft agency has not taken that approach yet as they believed that Adlan could still be traced and brought back to Malaysia to face the charges.

"We have indeed issued a warrant of arrest against him (Adlan) but we have not decided to charge him in absentia.

"Charging him in absentia can be done but it is the last resort because I believe he can still be traced and brought back to Malaysia to face the charges," he said.

He said this to the media after the launching of the National Anti-Corruption Summit (NAC Summit) 2024 at a hotel, here, today.

In October, last year, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain confirmed that the required documents in relation to the case had been submitted to Interpol for a red notice application against Adlan and his lawyer Mansoor Saat.

Several documents, including the draft of the charges involving the two individuals had been handed over to the police to complete the red notice application.

The action to summon Adlan was taken by the MACC involving a corruption case over the registration, recruitment and storage of biometrics of foreign workers for a ministry.

A check on the records by the MACC found that both individuals have left Malaysia on May 17 and May 21, last year, respectively.

On Feb 22, Azam confirmed that the investigation against Adlan had been completed.