PETALING JAYA: A political reform group, Gerak, has expressed disappointment that the parliamentary select committee overseeing agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department seemed to be “occupying a back seat” in the controversy surrounding anti-corruption chief Azam Baki.
Gerak said the parliamentary committee should be the primary independent body looking into the matter but “its function seems to be stymied”. The group said the secretary of Parliament was wrong to seek the consent of the law and parliamentary minister for the committee to convene on the matter.
Gerak said the committee did not need Cabinet permission to act. It urged MPs in the committee to take a more assertive role.
While the Securities Commission was the proper body to investigate Azam’s alleged offences, the group noted that the commission’s deliberations were not public. Malaysians were wary of secret deliberations especially after the 1MDB saga.
Gerak also said the declaration of support by three anti-graft deputy commissioners for their beleaguered chief was proof that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission cannot be seen as unbiased investigators.
This was especially so with the trio dismissing the allegations against Azam Baki as “purported attacks against the commission” without stating facts or evidence of any inquiry being done.
Gerak said it would be a “travesty of justice” if the MACC were to investigate Azam as the agency has a vested interest in investigating its own chief commissioner.
Azam’s ownership of one million shares in a public-listed company came to light in mid-December, which led to criticism of the MACC’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Board when it exonerated Azam, saying the purchase of shares by his brother was not a conflict of interest.
Azam had also told the media that he had willingly allowed his younger brother to use his trading account. - FMT
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