KUALA LUMPUR: A 'Datuk Seri' who had escaped Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) custody on Monday by clambering over a fence at the commission's headquarters, had help from his two bodyguards to pull off his stunt.
A source within the commission said the suspect, who was detained over suspicion of masterminding Macau scams, online gambling and money-laundering activities, had earlier been brought from court together with eight others for bail processing at the headquarters.
Upon arriving at the MACC building, the suspects, upon seeing the large number of policemen at the main lobby, refused to get down from the vehicle.
"Some of the suspects' family members were also present at the lobby for the bail process. A commotion ensued when all the detainees refused to disembark from the vehicle," said the source.
It is understood that the suspects were afraid that they would be arrested by the police after securing bail.
As such, following a discussion between MACC officers, police and lawyers, it was agreed that the police would then wait at the entrance of the main door at the lobby.
After the bail process was completed, the suspects were released by MACC. The suspects, including the Datuk Seri, then boarded four privately-owned Toyota Vellfire MPVs which were waiting at the driveway.
Police by then were already stationed at the main gate and stopped each MPV as it drove through. The suspects inside were then re-arrested by the police.
"However, the Datuk Seri in question had entered his MPV with his lawyer, bodyguards and driver.
"As the MPV drove between the lobby and the main gate, the Datuk Seri exited the vehicle to escape the policemen waiting at the gate.
"He made his way to a side fence near the back door of the MACC building. Two of his bodyguards were waiting there and helped him climb over the fence.
"A Perodua Myvi was waiting on the other side of the fence to help him escape," he said.
This, said the source, was verified after a review of CCTV footage.
Earlier, Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) lead activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said the incident could bring MACC and the police's credibility into question.
He said the stony silence maintained by both police and the commission following the debacle has only raised more questions among the public, and has led to intense discussions on social media.
Nadzim said the incident has also brought into sharp focus the effectiveness of the standard operating procedures involved when a detainee is released on bail.
Article by: New Straits Times
DATUK SERI JUMPED MACC HQ FENCE WITH BODYGUARDS' HELP
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