KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 — Former Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim’s lawyer has reportedly rejected the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) assertion that his client chose to appear in court wearing a purple lock-up shirt and handcuffs yesterday.

According to The Edge, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad said Azeez remained in police custody throughout the day and was instructed to change into the lock-up attire shortly before a Sessions Court heard the police’s remand application.

He reportedly said the police had also placed the handcuffs on Azeez before taking him directly to another Sessions Court for the MACC charge, leaving him no opportunity to change.

“Accordingly, our client’s appearance in the purple lock-up attire and handcuffs during the subsequent MACC proceedings was not a matter of his personal choice,” Amer was quoted as saying.

Amer reportedly said he was “flabbergasted” by the MACC’s account, adding that Azeez reserved the right to take legal action against anyone who published what he described as a false or misleading version of events.

Azeez yesterday pleaded not guilty to using his position to influence TH’s approval of a RM193.5 million investment in Putrajaya Perdana Bhd, a company in which he was alleged to have an interest, and was granted bail of RM450,000 with two local sureties.

Separately, Azeez was remanded for two days until tomorrow at the request of Bukit Aman’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department, with reports suggesting he is being investigated under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.