Muhyiddin's son-in-law denies being on the run

Muhammad Adlan Berhan is ready and willing to assist in any investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged corruption and embezzlement in the registration, recruitment, and biometric storage of foreign workers in a ministry, according to his lawyer Baljit Singh Sidhu.

In a statement issued today, Baljit said his client, who is the son-in-law of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, denied he left Malaysia in an attempt to avoid or stall an investigation by the MACC.

"Our client, like any other free citizen of Malaysia, has the right of movement and travel, including overseas, and more so to conduct his business in any part of the world. The exercise of these rights by our client should not be construed or mischaracterised as an attempt to avoid or stall an investigation.

"Our client categorically states that he is innocent and is entitled not to be tried in the court of public opinion by any enforcement agencies.

"He is ready and willing to assist in any investigation and has full faith in the judicial process, but at the same time, he will jealously protect his rights and liberty from being taken away, not in accordance with the law," Baljit said, adding that his client has also learnt that a travel ban has been imposed on him as his passport has been classified as such by the immigration department.

The counsel further said that his client stated that he will certainly return to Malaysia as soon as possible to answer all questions and to assist the MACC with any investigation, so long as the elements of threats and persecution are eliminated.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said in a press conference today that the MACC will request the police include the names of two individuals, Adlan, 48, and Mansoor Saat, 69, on the international police (Interpol) red notice list if they fail to face prosecution.

Prior to this, the MACC stated in a statement that checks with the immigration department found that Adlan and Mansoor left Malaysia on May 17 and 21, respectively, and there was no record of them re-entering the country.