Controversial businessman Albert Tei has filed a lawsuit against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), challenging the agency’s decision to make him wear the orange prison uniform despite not being convicted of any crime.
Tei has also named MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki and the government as defendants. He is seeking general damages and a declaration that MACC’s actions, including handcuffing him, were invalid and unconstitutional.
The businessman argued that MACC’s treatment violated the Federal Constitution, which guarantees that all individuals are equal before the law and entitled to equal protection, and that no person shall be deprived of personal liberty.
He questioned the apparent double standard in treatment, pointing out that high-profile figures such as former prime ministers Najib Razak, Muhyiddin Yassin, and Ismail Sabri Yaakob were not required to wear orange prison uniforms when detained.
“Why weren’t they in orange shirts when they were caught? Is there a double standard?” Tei asked reporters at the Kuala Lumpur court complex.
Separately, Tei’s lawyer, N. Surendran, confirmed that his client’s case at the Shah Alam court has been transferred to Kuala Lumpur to be heard alongside his other pending case.
The prosecution has been ordered to hand over all documents to the defense by March 13.
Tei and former senior political secretary to the prime minister, Shamsul Iskandar Akin, face charges of corruption involving over RM230,000 in alleged gratification. Both have pleaded not guilty. Tei is accused of bribing Shamsul in connection with mineral exploration licenses in Sabah.
