MACC drops orange detention attire for court remand cases after PM’s call

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has announced a suspension of its policy requiring suspects under investigation to wear orange lock-up attire when attending court for remand applications. MACC chief Abd Halim Aman revealed that those under investigation will now be permitted to wear ordinary clothes while in court, with the orange attire only applicable while they remain in custody.

The decision also hinges on the use of handcuffs, which will now be contingent on individual circumstances. Factors such as infirmity, disabilities, age, or child status will now be taken into consideration, potentially waiving the requirement for handcuffs. This change was made in response to concerns about the potential negative perceptions that wearing the orange lock-up attire could create for those assisting MACC's investigations.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously expressed that individuals detained by MACC for investigative purposes should not be forced to wear the orange uniform, as it may tarnish their reputation. In 2022, opposition MP Lim Lip Eng had called for clarity from law enforcement and MACC regarding which individuals should be required to wear the orange outfit upon court appearance for remand or charges.

In a related case, controversial businessman Albert Tei, currently standing trial for bribery, had sued MACC for forcing him to wear the orange uniform despite not being convicted of any crime. The MACC maintains its commitment to maintaining security controls and handling persons under investigation professionally, with integrity, courtesy, and in accordance with the law and prescribed procedures.