MACC stands by Azam Baki

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 9 Jan 2022 11:43AM · 2 Comments

MACC chief Azam Maki has denied having control over many companies, including conglomerates, amid calls for a probe into his share holdings.  – The Malaysian Insight file pic, January 9, 2022.

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is standing behind its chief Azam Baki, who is under scrutiny for alleged misconduct.

In a statement today, the MACC called the allegations against Azam politically motivated to tarnish the image of the anti-graft body.

“We urge all parties to stop speculating and let the law run its course in a fair and transparent manner.”

“The MACC stands firmly behind the chief commissioner and his leadership,” the statement read.

The statement was signed by MACC chief deputies Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya (operations) Norazlan Razali (prevention) and Jumipah Wandi (management and professionalism).

The statement in support of the embattled anti-graft chief comes amid claims of impropriety in Azam’s share holdings. 

On Wednesday, Azam denied he had control over many companies, including conglomerates, calling the accusations against him malicious and a “total lie” to cast suspicion on him. 

Yesterday, police confirmed receiving a report on his admission that he had allowed his brother, Nasir, to use his account to purchase shares.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Abd Jalil Hassan said the police report had been forwarded to the Securities Commission for further action.

Also yesterday, six members of the MACC advisory board disassociated themselves from the chairman’s decision to clear Azam of wrongdoing.

The board members said they did not share the views of chairman Abu Zahar Ujang on the matter. 

“We categorically wish to state that the board members at that meeting or at any time thereafter did not express such opinion as Abu Zahar attributed to,” they said in a statement today.

The members were referring to Abu Zahar’s assertion that the board had found Azam to have done no wrong after hearing his explanation that the shares belonged to his brother, who had used account to trade.

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

The members said the Abu Zahar’s statement at a Wednesday press conference was entirely his own.

The six dissenting board members were Ismail Omar, Azman Ujang, Akhbar Satar, Hamzah Kassim, David Chua Kok Tee, and Prof Mohammad Agus Yusoff.

Azam is reported to have acquired 2.15 million shares in Excel Force MSC Bhd and 1.93 million shares in Gets Global Bhd in 2015, and 1.02 million shares in Gets Global the following year. – January 9, 2022.

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Comments

  • Who cares what the MACC employees feel? They should ALL be investigated. There is much more to discover. Azam is merely the tip of the corruption iceberg.

    Posted 2 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • The whole of MACC standing by Azam MEANS NOTHING. Is this how the MACC investigates cases against others? Suppose there is a complaint against a bank manager for some suspicious dealings, Does the MACC go and ask all the bank staff what they think of their manager? And if all the staff raise their thumbs up and say the manager is excellent, does the MACC take that as the result of its "investigations" and clear the manager of any wrongdoing?

    How many of the MACC's officers, some even very senior ones, have been involved in criminal activities?

    IF THERE IS NOTHING TO HIDE, why are the MACC officers and even elected Ministers fighting tooth and nail to prevent an independent body investigating Azam?.

    Kalau bersih, takut apa? If an open investigation finds Azam has done no wrong, not only he but the whole MACC and the government will stand tall with DIGNITY / MARUAH. So why trying so hard to prevent an open investigation?

    Posted 2 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply