KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya has called for the permanent abolition of the practice of making remand suspects wear orange attire when appearing in court.
Latheefa welcomed MACC’s recent decision to suspend the practice but questioned why the move was only temporary instead of a complete end to the controversial practice.
“I am glad that MACC has now halted this practice. However, it should have been done much earlier, not when it became hugely politically unpopular,” she told Scoop.
She said the suspension should be replaced with a firm decision by both the government and MACC to discontinue the practice entirely.
Latheefa, a human rights activist, explained that the orange attire was originally intended only for detainees inside remand lock-ups and was never designed to be worn during public court appearances.
“I cannot remember when the practice started but it has been around for quite some time, way before 2018. The original purpose and the only purpose was for it to be worn whilst a detainee is in a remand lock-up.”
“That is why it is called ‘Baju Lokap’. There was never any other reason for the orange T-shirt. It was never meant to be used outside the lock-up,” she said.
The former executive director of Lawyers for Liberty added that detainees were not necessarily required to change into the orange attire even while in custody.
She argued that displaying suspects in orange clothing, particularly when they are brought before a court, could create a public perception that they are already guilty despite having yet to face trial.
“Certainly, it’s aimed to shame the detainee and create a perception of being guilty. It’s frequently resorted to against political opponents to those in power,” she said.
Latheefa said MACC had previously stopped the practice during her tenure as chief commissioner as it conflicted with the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence.
“Due to the fact that it breaches the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence, which is guaranteed under Article 5 of the Federal Constitution.”
“As MACC Chief, we must respect the Constitution which we are sworn to uphold. I am disappointed with the attitude of subsequent MACC Chiefs,” she said.
She claimed the practice resumed shortly after her departure from the commission and had recently been used as a way to project that MACC was actively taking action against corruption suspects.
“This is hoodwinking the public, without understanding that it causes serious injustice against the innocent as well,” she added.
Latheefa warned that identifying individuals as MACC suspects through the orange attire could have lasting consequences for them and their families, especially if they were later acquitted or never charged.
“It is an extremely unfair practice. The person may be innocent. Imagine the damage and trauma done to him and his family.”
“The orange shirt is not about crime prevention, it’s sheer persecution,” she added.
She said forcing suspects to appear in court wearing the attire risked turning the enforcement process into a form of public punishment before guilt had been established by a court of law.
Earlier, MACC announced that it would immediately suspend the use of its trademark orange attire for individuals under investigation (OKS) during remand proceedings in court.
The decision came after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for a review of the practice, with MACC saying the suspension followed recent developments and recommendations regarding the treatment and handling of OKS, particularly during court appearances. — September 7, 2026