Abu Zahar blames media, leaves fate as MACC advisory chair to Agong

MACC's Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) chairperson Abu Zahar Ujang has blamed the media for the controversy that arose from his Jan 5 press conference where he declared that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki did not commit any wrongdoing with regard to his share ownership worth around RM700,000 in 2015.

He said he was well aware that the ACAB does not have the power to investigate criminal wrongdoing by an MACC officer.

Abu Zahar (above) added that he had not objected to an official probe by an investigating authority.

He maintained that his statement was "not accurately and holistically" reported by the media.

"As stated in my statement on Jan 5, the allegation of wrongdoing against Azam is open to investigation by any authority based on the opinion of the Attorney-General's Chambers.

"All members on the ACAB including myself do not believe nor intend to obstruct further investigations.

"If my Jan 5 statement had presented an unintended meaning that it had sullied the MACC's good name, which was never intended, I leave it to the discretion of the government and Yang di-Pertuan Agong to determine my position as the ACAB chairperson," he said.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki

Board doesn't have authority to exonerate Azam

During the Jan 5 press conference, Abu Zahar had explained that the shares were not Azam's but were instead bought by his younger brother in his name.

He had said the ACAB was satisfied with Azam's explanation that he had neither pecuniary interest nor conflict of interest in the acquisition of those shares.

However, six ACAB members said in a joint statement on Jan 8 that it was not the board's decision to clear Azam of any wrongdoing, and Abu Zahar had only expressed his personal opinion.

They also stressed that the board does not have the authority to exonerate Azam.

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

Following that, Bersih and other civil organisations called for Abu Zahar to resign if he failed to explain why he defended Azam.

Azam has denied wrongdoing in the shareholdings scandal.

The matter is being investigated by the Securities Commission.

Today's press conference was held by Abu Zahar to respond to his six colleagues who distanced themselves from his statement in clearing Azam.

However, he left the press conference room at MACC headquarters after he finished reading the statement and without taking any questions from the media. - Mkini