PUTRAJAYA must take action against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki after his shares ownership controversy caused protesters to take to the streets, said politicians.

“As parliamentarians, we cannot even bring this to Parliament,” said Seputeh MP Teresa Kok at the #TangkapAzamBaki rally today.

“That is why I am here with youth. I hope the government will take action after seeing this crowd.”

The rally, organised by civil society groups and political organisations, is made illegal after cops obtained a court order banning gatherings at the shopping mall, Dataran Merdeka and Masjid Jamek.

Police have also shut several roads in the capital city today, to prevent the rally from taking place at its intended location in front of Sogo Kuala Lumpur.

Organisers then changed the venue to the Bangsar LRT station, but police shut the area and roads surrounding it after learning about the development.

The rally started at 11am and ended at 12.45pm. About 200 people managed to get through to the station.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran urged Azam to resign or submit himself to the Special Select Committee on Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department.

He should not hide any further and should be open to investigation, he added.

“What is there to hide? He just has to be open and transparent with his answers, but he is hiding from an open inquiry instead. This shows that there are a lot of skeletons in the closet.”

On the intimidation by police to prevent the rally from taking place as intended at Sogo Kuala Lumpur, Rajiv said there may be a bigger picture to Azam’s case.

“Even during the #lawan protest last year, they (police) did not shut down Kuala Lumpur. Why are they doing so now for an individual who is not even the prime minister?”

The #TangkapAzamBaki movement is supported by 33 civil society groups and 11 political organisations.

The rally is held to demand the arrest of the chief commissioner following his alleged purchase of millions of shares in 2015 and 2016.

The movement’s action committee said it is disappointed in police for putting the capital city in a state of “lockdown” over one individual.

Police are acting as though Azam is “very powerful”, it added. – January 22, 2022.