BESIDES Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki, the anti-graft’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Board chairman Abu Zahar Ujang and its past chief commissioners should also be investigated by an independent body, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council said.

Azam and Abu Zahar should go on leave pending an investigation, the council added.

“We reiterate our position that a full investigation must be conducted by an independent body unrelated to the MACC against not only the current chief commissioner, but also against the chief commissioners who have served before.

“At the same time, the existing chief commissioner and chairman of the MACC advisory board should step aside until the independent investigation is completed,” the PH council said in a statement.

Azam is acquired 2.15 million shares in Excel Force MSC Bhd in 2015, as well as 1.93 million shares in Gets Global Bhd in the same year, and 1.02 million shares in Gets Global the following year.

On Wednesday, MACC advisory board chairman Abu Zahar said the board found Azam had done no wrong after hearing his explanation that the shares belonged to his brother who had used his trading account.

The shares were later transferred to the brother, and, as such, there was no conflict of interest, he added.

Critics have said it is insufficient for an internal board to clear Azam and that nothing short of an independent probe would do. The Securities Commission has also said it will be questioning Azam over the matter, as the law does not permit the use of trading accounts by those who are not beneficiary owners.

PH said the controversy has undermined the MACC’s integrity and credibility in the eyes of the people and even internationally.

“We cannot accept the statements made by the chief commissioner and MACC advisory board chairman (on the shares).

“The chief commissioner’s statement has indicated that there may have been a breach of law and a conflict of interest involving his share account, which was used to buy millions of shares on behalf of his brother.”

PH cited section 25(4) of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991, which carries a fine of RM3 million or 10 years in prison if found guilty, as well as the issue of the source of funds used to buy these millions of shares.

PH also questioned how Abu Zahar had readily accepted Azam’s explanation, when a more open and thorough investigation should have been carried out.

PH also said that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob could no longer remain silent and should convene a special parliamentary session to explain the real situation regarding Azam.

The police, too, should open an investigation paper to see if there has been any violation of the law, as has been alleged by various parties, the council said. – January 7, 2022.