THE defence team of former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today accused the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) of intimidating its lawyer through a police report over an alleged leak of a classified document, and threatened to initiate contempt proceedings.
The confrontation disrupted the re-examination of the prosecution’s 29th witness, MACC chief assistant commissioner Mazery Mohd Zaini, who is also the investigating officer in Muhyiddin’s case.
Lead defence lawyer Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad objected strongly to the police report, which named him personally in connection with an alleged leak involving a confidential document containing a recorded statement by former Bersatu Segambut division deputy chief Adam Radlan Adam Muhammad in a separate case.
Amer Hamzah said the report was an attempt to intimidate the defence and tarnish his reputation, maintaining that the document used during the proceedings had been obtained lawfully under Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code.
“This police report is a form of intimidation against the defence team and an attempt to confuse the court and the public.
“We take this matter seriously and do not rule out taking legal action, including initiating contempt proceedings and lodging a police report against those responsible,” he said.
He said the investigating officer should have conducted an internal inquiry or approached the defence lawyers before lodging the police report.
“I am prepared to face whatever consequences, but allowing such dirty tactics by a witness who is currently giving evidence is something that is completely unacceptable.
“I understand that everyone has their respective roles. They have to investigate, the prosecution has to prosecute, and we have to defend. However, there are boundaries that should not be crossed.
“The report they made against me by naming me personally is a declaration of war,” he said.
Mazery subsequently apologised publicly to the defence, saying the police report was intended to protect the integrity and image of the commission.
He said he was concerned about a possible internal leak involving a document classified as secret and related to another case, which had been used by the defence during cross-examination.
“I would like to apologise to the lawyers, especially Datuk Amer, regarding the report that was made. Actually, I was worried there had been an information leak from MACC officers. The police report was to see whether there was a leak within MACC itself.
“I had absolutely no intention of damaging the lawyer’s image. I did it to protect the department’s image. If there is no avenue of leakage among the officers, I will withdraw the report,” he said.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin apologised to the defence and gave Mazery an opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the report.
Judge Noor Ruwena Md Nurdin then adjourned Mazery’s re-examination to allow an internal review to be conducted and the issue surrounding the police report to be resolved. - September 14, 2026
