THE statement by senior figures in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, in which they threw their support behind chief commissioner Azam Baki, has divided opinion among civil society groups.

Some activists said the move raised questions about the agency’s integrity and commitment to fighting corruption, adding that the show of solidarity means the MACC is in need of parliamentary oversight.

However, others have said there is nothing wrong with MACC leaders supporting Azam, who is innocent until proven guilty.

Munirah Alatas exco member of Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (Gerak) said Azam’s guilt is now a secondary issue.

“At this stage of the mudslinging, what is now at stake is the integrity of the MACC, the government of Malaysia, and good governance,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

“An institution such as the MACC must be free from political interference.

“When the deputy commissioners claim that allegations against Azam are politically motivated, they are inadvertently interfering politically. The public cannot condone this.”

Munirah said if the allegations against Azam are indeed politically motivated, it is even more critical that an independent panel look into the matter.

“If Azam is innocent, he has nothing to worry about. The Malaysian people also want the findings of the probe to be made public.

“How else can the government gain the trust of the people, which has slipped further?”

Today the MACC called the allegations against Azam politically motivated to tarnish its image.

The statement was signed by MACC deputy chiefs 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 dealings.

Parliamentary oversight

Thomas Fann, chairman of the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, said that this latest episode, on top of clearing Azam without an independent probe, reflects badly on the MACC.

This recent episode also shows that the MACC must be subject to a parliamentary oversight committee rather than the Prime Minister’s Department, Fann said.

“It is time for a complete overhaul of the MACC, starting with the appointment process of commissioners and placing it under parliamentary oversight rather than the PM solely.

“It also needs a framework of accountability to other bodies, like an internal MACC complaints panel, and external bodies like an ombudsman.

“Such a framework exists: the independent commission against corruption in New South Wales in Australia and we can learn from it.”

Fann said this recent scandal with the MACC is also shrinking public confidence to the days of the 1Malaysia Development Scandal, when billions were siphoned from the sovereign wealth fund.

“Unless the prime minister initiates the needed reforms, his government would be tarnished along with the MACC.”

Azam innocent until proven guilty

Meanwhile, Muhammad Mohan, president of Transparency International Malaysia said there is nothing wrong with the upper echelons of MACC backing Azam because he is innocent until proven guilty.

“Their comments are normal because Azam is still on active duty. He is deemed innocent unless an independent panel proves otherwise. This is fair,” he said.

However, Muhammad said that the trio’s comment that the witch hunt against Azam is “political revenge” raises a lot more questions.

“It appears that they (the trio) know something that we do not. We want to know the identity of this group targeting Azam for political revenge.”

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

However, the MACC advisory board, led by Abu Zahar Ujang, cleared Azam of wrongdoing after he explained that the shares were bought by his brother using his account.

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

However, six members of the MACC advisory board – Ismail Omar, Azman Ujang, Akhbar Satar, Hamzah Kassim, David Chua Kok Tee, and Prof Mohammad Agus Yusoff – disassociated themselves from the chairman’s decision to clear Azam of wrongdoing, saying they did not share Zahar’s view. – January 9, 2022.