Abu Zahar says MACC graft advisers issued statement behind his back

Ravin Palanisamy Ravin Palanisamy Updated 4 years ago · Published on 11 Jan 2022 12:23PM · 5 Comments

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission finds itself under scrutiny following revelations that its chief commissioner owned millions of shares in two companies in 2015. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, January 11, 2022.

MACC anti-corruption advisory board chairman Abu Zahar Ujang today said six members of the panel had issued a statement about Azam Baki that was contradictory to his own without first discussing the issue in a meeting scheduled for today.

Abu Zahar said he had agreed on January 7 to meet with the other board members today, only to find out the next day that they had gone behind his back to issue a statement of their own.

“I am of the opinion that the media statements made by the six members are deeply regrettable,” he said in a press conference in Putrajaya today. 

On January 5, Abu Zahar said MACC chief commissioner Azam had on November 24 explained the matter of his share ownership and that the former had been cleared of any wrongdoing. 

Azam said the millions of shares he was said to own were purchased by his brother Nasir using the former’s trading account. The shares were later transferred to Nasir.

Following Abu Zahar’s statement, on January 8, six members of the board he chairs issued a statement saying they did not share his opinion that Azam was innocent of wrongdoing.

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

Abu Zahar told reporters today that he had received a message from Azman on January 7, at 6.19pm, saying “the issue is getting hotter and hotter”.

At 6.22pm, Chua responded to Azman’s message saying, “LPPR need to meet and discuss this matter urgently and come up with a clear statement to state LPPR’s position by early next week. Keeping silent is not an option”.

At 6.27pm, Abu Zahar said Ismail texted the group and confirmed the meeting on January 11.

“Yes. We’re meeting on 11th Jan. Need to address relevant issues,” his message read. 

Abu Zahar said the time of the meeting was fixed at at 10pm.

“Suddenly, on January 8, I found that all six of the ACAB board members had had a meeting among themselves without informing me and had gone on to issue a media statement,” he said. 

Abu Zahar said he is ready to cooperate in any investigation into the case. – January 11, 2022.

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Comments

  • Why regrettable? Because they disagreed with your opinion?

    Posted 4 years ago by DENGKI KE? · Reply

  • You started this first by issuing the statement as if on behalf of the Board. They had to come out to deny that they are party to that statement. For that, nothing to negotiate or meet to discuss. They have done the right thing because you have almost ruined their reputation by your very damaging statement. You now expect them to discuss with you your clear misrepresentation of their views?? I am sure they have done right, legally and morally. You are the one devoid of any integrity or dignity. Shame on you!!!

    Posted 4 years ago by Brave Malaysian · Reply

  • If you can meet with press saying things they have not agreed on before discussing with them, why they cannot issue press statement without discussing with you? Is this not idiotic entitlement mentality? No show of respect for your board but expect them to show you respect? This kind of leader we dont need in this country.

    Posted 4 years ago by Loyal Malaysian · Reply

  • If you can meet with press saying things they have not agreed on before discussing with them, why they cannot issue press statement without discussing with you? Is this not idiotic entitlement mentality? No show of respect for your board but expect them to show you respect? This kind of leader we dont need in this country.

    Posted 4 years ago by Loyal Malaysian · Reply

  • But he issued his statement behind their backs

    Posted 4 years ago by The Rover · Reply