PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has questioned MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s choice of words when commenting on the allegations against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s former political aide, Shamsul Iskandar Akin.
Fadhli was referring to Azam (above), describing the allegations as “tohmahan”, which the PAS leader noted means “tuduhan yang melulu” (reckless allegation).
“With due respect to MACC, I would like to ask how MACC could label this as a ‘tohmahan’ from the very beginning, when the investigation has not even started. Why not use the term ‘dakwaan’ (allegation) as is customary?” he asked in a social media post.
Fadhli warned that such wording could erode public confidence in the MACC.
“My advice to civil servants who have information about other ‘supporting letters’ is to carefully preserve that evidence if they are unable to submit a report to the MACC.
“One day, when this government changes hands, we will expose it,” he added.
The use of the word “tohmahan” also drew criticism online, but when this was raised with Azam, he defended the choice.
The chief commissioner told Malaysiakini that the term was selected because MACC believes it conveys the same meaning.
“We will stick to the word ‘tohmahan’,” he said.
Negative connotation
According to the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) online dictionary, “tohmahan” carries a negative connotation - an accusation based on suspicion, as well as a reckless accusation.
Azam’s statement this morning was to announce that MACC is investigating the allegations against Shamsul and will summon both the prime minister’s former aide and businessperson Albert Tei.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported Tei claiming he had spent more than RM600,000 on Shamsul after being assured that the aide would help him recover funds given to Sabah politicians over the mining scandal.
Soon after Malaysiakini contacted Shamsul for comment, he announced on X that he had tendered his resignation as Anwar’s aide and vowed to defend himself against the allegations, which he did not specify. - Mkini
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