After seven hours of grilling on the fourth day, finally done giving statement to MACC.
- Unprecedented for Riza to be grilled for up to 30 hours since Tuesday, but not surprising given the high profile nature of the case
- Riza considered “lucky” not remanded, but allowed to go home after each interrogation session
The legal community is abuzz with the grilling of 48-year-old Riza Aziz for an unprecedented four consecutive days by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The Star reported that retired federal prosecutor Datuk Stanley Isaacs said there is no law to prevent any of the investigating authorities, be it the police or the MACC, to carry out investigations in the way they deem fit and proper.
“There is no time limit to interrogate any person.
“It is up to them to conduct the investigation and if it is a complicated matter that requires extensive questioning, the fact that it takes a few days to complete cannot be grounds to complain of unfair treatment,” he was quoted as saying.
In regards to the length of time for questioning, he said there were internal rules that must be observed and respected by the authorities in favour of the witness or suspect.
“The rules include that the person being questioned is treated fairly and with dignity and they are given sufficient rest, food, drink and sleep if they should be detained overnight. There should not be undue concern about prolonged questioning.
“The overriding objective of a police investigation is for the purpose of administration of law and justice,” he was quoted as saying.
According to the report, lawyer Datuk Rosal Azimin Ahmad said it was quite unprecedented for Riza to be grilled for up to 30 hours since Tuesday.
“Given the high profile nature of the case, I am not surprised that the interrogation has gone on for this long.
“Normally, for other MACC cases, the suspect or person of interest would have been remanded,” he was quoted as saying.
He said Riza should be considered “lucky” to be given the chance to go back home after each interrogation session.
“It shows that the anti-graft body is not being overzealous and allows some leeway given the significance of the case,” Rosal was quoted as saying.
Riza arrived at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday dressed in a yellow T-shirt, black blazer and slacks at about 9.45am in a black tinted Audi, accompanied by his lawyers in a different car.
The film producer was seen leaving the compound for Friday prayers at about 1.10pm and returned at 2.30pm. He left the building at about 7.30pm.
The stepson of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is being grilled by the MACC over allegations that 1MDB funds were used to finance films which his company produced.
He co-founded Red Granite Pictures which, among others, produced the film ‘The Wolf of Wall Stree ‘.
He is one of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor’s two children from a previous marriage.
The MACC has finished recording Riza’s statement for now, though they did not rule out the possibility of calling him in again later.
Earlier reports:
Jul 6, Fourth Day at MACC for Riza Aziz
Jul 5, Third Time Round for Riza Aziz at MACC
Jul 4, Riza Aziz’s Second Date with MACC