* Commentary by Mustafa K Anuar

THE controversy surrounding the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is expected to reach a climax today with a “tell-all” promised by the chairman of the agency’s oversight board, Abu Zahar Ujang.

Zahar is scheduled to call for a press conference this afternoon supposedly to clear the air.

This came about with the recent resignation of a member of the MACC’s consultation and corruption prevention panel, Dr Terence Gomez, in protest over the panel’s inaction against MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s alleged ownership of extensive corporate stock.

Both MACC anti-corruption advisory board chairman Abu Zahar and consultation and corruption prevention panel chairman Borhan Dolah initially insisted that Gomez did not raise the subject of Azam’s alleged misconduct prior to his resignation, hence their inaction.

Their contention notwithstanding, the allegations eventually became public knowledge after the media got wind of it – which could have prompted the two men to respond accordingly to the issue at hand.

In the week after the academic’s resignation, calls were made by various quarters to probe the claims of conflict of interest in connection with Azam’s acquisition of company shares.

Much to the disappointment of many Malaysians, there was silence from Azam Baki himself who was expected to address the issue as the allegation would not only smudge his name as the MACC’s boss but also the credibility of the commission itself.

Observers felt that a probe would serve to prove Azam’s innocence and clear the image of the institution he represents.

Obviously, such deafening silence is neither elegant nor golden. Silence, as we all know, invites suspicion.

As an anti-graft outfit, the MACC would surely be aware that any form of impropriety on the part of its officials, whose primary responsibility is supposedly to combat corruption, may cause extensive damage to its integrity and credibility for as long as there is distrust and doubt among the ordinary people.  

In other words, its trustworthiness must be jealously guarded at all costs for an agency that is expected to perform without fear or favour, especially in a social context where corruption has become a practice acceptable to many, even among those who wear their religious beliefs on their sleeves.

For the uninitiated, Islam, like many other faiths, strongly forbids and detests corruption.

It is clearly important that the common people look up to the commission as a bulwark against corruption, which, if left to fester unchallenged, can cause irreparable damage to society.

Under such circumstances, any attempt to curb this scourge is to be appreciated.

That is why Malaysians expect Zahar to address the concerns.

For one thing, it was suggested that Azam should testify before the Parliamentary Select Committee for Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department.

There was also a call on the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry to examine claims of impropriety in the MACC. In many ways, this is a response to the suggestion that the MACC as a whole needs an overhaul.

Additionally, Azam should go on leave while the investigation is ongoing.  

As personalities associated with a government body that has a noble mission in society, the high officials of MACC are expected to do the needful. – January 5, 2022.