THE Malaysian Bar today added to calls for the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate accusations made against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki.

The legal body’s president A.G. Kalidas also raised concerns over the MACC’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Board’s decision to conduct its own investigation despite its advisory status, which highlights “a desperate need of a revamp on the oversight mechanism at MACC”.

“The Malaysian Bar is perturbed by the recent events that have unfolded regarding MACC and its leaders. Allegations have surfaced about Azam’s alleged extensive ownership of shares in a public-listed company and that his share trading account was used by his brother to trade in shares.

“Board chairman Abu Zahar Ujang stated during a press conference that the board had absolved Azam from any wrongdoing.

“We therefore call on the government to establish a RCI to investigate the accusations against Azam,” he said in a statement.

Kalidas proposed that the anti-graft agency be placed under the ambit of Parliament instead of the executive, saying that for a country to have good governance and true accountability to the public, there needs to be a formidable system of checks and balances.

He also said there was a need to ensure MACC is led by officers whose credibility is not in question.

“Those who lead must discharge their duties honourably, with integrity and honesty, and must be held accountable for their actions,” he added.

Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Abdul Ibrahim, a former chairman of the advisory board, on Sunday made a call for a RCI to be set up to look into claims of impropriety within MACC.

Pakatan Harapan today called for an independent body unrelated to MACC to investigate not just Azam, but Abu Zahar and other past chief commissioners.

The presidential council also said Azam and Abu Zahar should go on leave pending an investigation. – January 7, 2022.