GIVEN the current controversy over the shareholdings in MACC chief Azam Baki’s name, we, the undersigned civil society organisations, demand:

• that the authorities headed by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob put in motion a much-needed independent investigation to restore the credibility of the MACC
• that the authorities demand that the following individuals/entities answer pertinent questions, in particular:
  • How could the MACC chief have allowed his brother to buy shares on his securities account when it could be a violation of the Security Industry (Central Depositories) Act?
  • Why did the MACC advisory board chairperson allegedly disregard the views of the other members of the advisory board and rely on his personal opinion to exonerate Azam Baki?
  • Why did the other members of the advisory board remain silent about the complaints raised by Dr Terence Gomez after they attended a meeting on November 24 to discuss them?
• that the MACC advisory board releases the minutes of its November 24 to show on what basis it exonerated Azam Baki without a proper investigation
• that Azam Baki goes on leave pending the outcome of the investigation
• that Azam Baki withdraws the letter of demand against the whistle-blower and that reforms to the Whistle-blowers Protection Act be undertaken to strengthen the protection of whistle-blowers
• that the government implements serious reforms to make the MACC independent, along the lines recommended by four groups in 2015
• that the MACC be removed from the Prime Minister’s Department and be placed under the oversight of a bipartisan parliamentary special select committee

Initiated by:

1. Aliran (Aliran Kesedaran Negara)
2. Gerak (Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia)
3. Patriot (Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan)
4. Suaram (Suara Rakyat Malaysia)

Endorsed by:

1. Against the Tide
2. Agora Society Malaysia
3. All Women’s Action Society (Awam)
4. Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim)
5. Bersih
6. Borneo Komrad
7. Centre for Orang Asli Concerns
8. Centre for Independent Journalism
9. Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (CAGED)
10. Freedom Film Network
11. G25 Malaysia
12. Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia
13. IDEAS
14. Ikram Penang
15. Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia (JKOASM)
16. Komas
17. Komuniti Muslim Universal (KMU Malaysia)
18. LLG Cultural Development Centre
19. MAJU
20. Malaysians Against Death Penalty and Torture (Madpet)
21. Monsoon Malaysia (MM)
22. MyPJ
23. MYSE Johor
24. National Union of Transport Equipment and Allied Industries Workers
25. New Student Movement Alliance of Malaysia
26. Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute (Ohmsi)
27. Our Journey
28. Pangrok Sulap
29. Persatuan Komuniti Prihatin Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur
30. Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (Rose)
31. Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (Proham)
32. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
33. Pertubuhan Alam Sekitar Sejahtera Malaysia (GRASS Malaysia)
34. Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia
35. Pertubuhan Solidaritas
36. Sabah Reform Initiative (Sari)
37. Save Malaysia Stop Lynas
38. Save Rivers
39. Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
40. Sustainable Development Network Malaysia
41. Tenaganita
42. Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy
43. The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
44. Voice of Youtharian
45. Workers Hub for Change (WH4C)

* This is a joint statement by a collection of Malaysian civil society groups.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.