THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Anti-Corruption Advisory Board’s decision to clear chief commissioner Azam Baki of any wrongdoing over his alleged ownership of corporate shares in a single meeting is concerning, said the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas).

The think tank in a statement today said the board did a half-baked job after it freed the chief commissioner from the allegation based on his own explanation.

“We are concerned with the fact that the decision made to absolve the chief commissioner is based on a single meeting without a thorough investigation.

“In our view, if such a conclusion is based only on the explanation of Azam, then the board has not properly carried out its duties. This is not an exemplary move by an organisation that is the primary body tasked to oversee the anti-graft body.”

The board had earlier today cleared Azam of any wrongdoing over his alleged ownership of corporate shares.

Board chairman Abu Zahar Ujang had earlier today said Azam has provided an explanation on the matter.

Based on the clarification, the purchase of shares was made by Azam’s brother, Nasir, using the former’s trading account.

Abu Zahar said Nasir had purchased shares for two companies through the open market in 2012, and transferred them to Azam in 2015.

As such, there was no conflict of interest, he added.

The press conference is the first time in more than a month that the anti-graft agency has addressed the allegations since they were raised by Edmund Terence Gomez to Abu Zahar and Borhan Dolah, who chairs the Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel.

Gomez resigned from Borhan’s panel last month, protesting against the agency’s lack of action.

Ideas urged the board to transparently elaborate the process via which it reached the conclusion.

It is important for the agency to disclose which government code of conduct or policy it relied on in clearing the chief commissioner of any wrongdoing, it added.

“More importantly, the board should explain to the public whether Azam has satisfied the criteria on asset declaration based on the government circular that requires civil servants to declare their assets.”

There are rules governing corporate share ownership by civil servants – namely the Public Officers Regulations Act (Conduct and Discipline) 1993, which states that civil servants, including top officials, can hold corporate shares, but must declare their assets every five years.

There is also Service Circular Number 3/2002 – Ownership and Declaration of Assets by Public Officials, which further elaborates on section 10 of the above Act.

It requires all public officers to declare in writing all properties owned by them, their husband or wife or children, or held by any person on their behalf or on behalf of their wife or husband or children to their respective head of department.

The circular also states that a public officer is prevented from owning more than RM100,000 worth of shares in any company. – January 5, 2022.