THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and cabinet must explain the delays in responding to the serious allegations of misconduct involving MACC chief Azam Baki, said Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M).

TI-M in a statement today said the allegations must be investigated transparently and urgently.

“The MACC and cabinet must explain the delays in responding to these serious allegations and next courses of action that will be taken with regard to the same, especially when they (allegations) involve the image of a law enforcement agency entrusted to fight corruption.”

TI-M said it is shocked by the revelations made by Edmund Terence Gomez, who recently resigned from the MACC Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel.

“Wherein it was reported that Borhan Dolah, chair of the said panel, had not responded to allegations reported by Gomez based on two articles that have been circulated, revealing alleged business ties and conflicts of interest involving Azam.”

Pejuang had earlier urged the anti-graft body chief to be put on leave pending investigations by authorities.

Pejuang’s Ulya Aqamah Husamudin has called Gomez’s resignation “shocking” and “worrying”.

Gomez, an economist, had yesterday resigned from the body in protest of its inaction against Azam’s alleged ownership of millions in publicly traded stocks.

He said he had brought the matter to Borhan’s attention on November 12, urging the latter to convene a meeting to discuss the “critical issue of national interest”.

Borhan had responded to Gomez, agreeing to convene the meeting, which has yet to materialise.

TI-M questioned MACC for remaining mum on the matter, saying that the issue will affect Malaysia’s image if it is swept under the carpet.

“The anti-graft body is not short of independent panels and processes to investigate its officers for alleged offences, so the question remains – why has there been no announcement of any action being taken to investigate the allegations?

“Issues such as these, if left unchecked and swept under the carpet will affect the perception that the rest of the world has on Malaysia and the MACC, potentially bringing down indices such as the Corruption Perceptions Index and Global Corruption Barometer.” – December 28, 2021.