KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — The police questioning of lawyer Matthias Chang, who represents detained 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) critic Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, was a veiled attempt to violate attorney-client privilege, the Malaysian Bar said today.

Demanding an end to investigations against Chang, Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru said the police were breaching the principle of legal professional privilege by attempting to obtain information from the lawyer that he may have obtained from the former Umno leader now held under an anti-terrorism law.

The head of the legal professionals’ body pointed out that the particular privilege ensured that lawyers may not divulge information obtained from their clients without prior consent, without which the two parties may not be able to confer freely.

“The Malaysian Bar denounces the intimidation or harassment of any member of the Malaysian Bar in the discharge of his or her duties or obligations for and on behalf of any client,” Steven said in a statement today.

“The Malaysian Bar further condemns any attempt to transgress or erode the principle of legal professional privilege or solicitor-client privilege, in the guise of a purported investigation of a lawyer.”

Steven also pointed that the privilege in question was written in law, and may be negated only in rare circumstances such as when such communication would facilitate an illegal act or when the lawyer observes a crime following his appointment.

Police investigating Khairuddin had last week questioned Chang as a witness under Section 203(A) of the Penal Code for disclosing information in the performance of his duties.

Chang’s lawyer, however, said they did not consider the action to be harassment.

Khairuddin is currently being held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 following a global tour to solicit investigations by other countries into 1MDB, after US-based business daily Wall Street Journal published a series of reports detailing dubious activity allegedly involving the state-owned firm.

Khairuddin also lodged reports locally against 1MDB late last year, reportedly because criticisms against the state-fund were “ignored” at the time.

His reports are believed to have prompted investigations into 1MDB in Switzerland, the SAR of Hong Kong, the US and the UK.

The former Umno man is currently challenging his SOSMA detention.