KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said the orange lock-up t-shirt issue must not be a distraction from the fight against corruption.
“These well-dressed ‘penyangak’ (thieves) are stealing the people’s money while wearing suits and ties.
“Let’s not be taken in by the hype over lock-up orange t-shirts,” he told Scoop.
Azam, whose contract ended on May 12 after three extensions, said critics should focus on the fight against corruption and the debilitating effects on the country.
“Billions have been lost to corruption and abuse of power and you’re talking about orange t-shirts!”
On Sept 4, the MACC announced that it was suspending the use of orange attire when bringing individuals to court.
This followed remarks by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim calling for a review of the practice, which critics say is meant to shame the accused.
Current chief commissioner Datuk Seri Abdul Halim Aman said under the new procedure, individuals under investigation will be allowed to wear their own clothes when appearing in court for remand applications.
The orange lock-up attire will only be worn while they are being held in custody at the lock-up.
Another former chief commissioner Latheefa Koya who stopped the practice during her tenure from 2018-2020, also welcomed the suspension of the orange t-shirts.
The civil rights lawyer told Scoop that the attire conflicted with the presumption of innocence.
Azam meanwhile said the orange t-shirts were part of MACC’s standard operating procedures (SOP) and not meant to demean or humiliate those under investigation.
“No one says anything about the purple police lock-up t-shirts worn by the accused in criminal cases,” he added.
Azam said if there is a need to review MACC procedures then it is only fair to review SOPs of all enforcement agencies.
“Not only MACC and the Police but the lock-up procedures and attire of other agencies such as Immigration and Customs, those held for commercial crimes and so on,” he said.
“Even if they are in suits, they are still arriving to face remand or charges for corruption. It is not about the attire but the crime they are accused of.
“Another school of thought would be why allow those accused of graft to dress like they’re going for a wedding?” he asked, adding that they could still cover their faces.
“To wear orange t-shirt malu, but to steal taxpayers’ money tak malu.” – September 7, 2026