Azam to show committee bank documents, refuses to go on leave

 

MACC chief Azam Baki said he will give his full cooperation to the government committee investigating his shareholdings.

He said he has nothing to hide and will provide the committee with any documents needed.

“Private documents, such as bank documents, I will show them, but not to those who are not involved (in the committee). On those who will be part of the committee, I leave it to the government.

“Of course, I will cooperate. I was the one who requested to be investigated,” he was quoted as saying by The Star today.

The government has established a three-person committee headed by Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar to investigate Azam's shareholdings and compliance with civil service rules.

Millions in shares

Companies Commission of Malaysia records revealed that Azam had at some point held 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Partner Berhad and around 4.52 million shares in Awanbiru Technology Berhad.

The Velocity Capital Partner shares were believed to have been bought for around RM1.5 million, while the Awanbiru shares were estimated to have been valued between RM1.24 million and RM1.38 million at some point.

While share trading by civil servants is not illegal, the 2024 Public Officers’ Conduct and Disciplinary Management Circular stipulates that civil servants are not allowed to purchase shares that exceed five percent of paid-up capital or RM100,000 at current value.

Azam had said that his shareholding did not involve paid-up capital but was instead acquired through purchases on the open market.

However, Dusuki indicated that the committee will not be investigating major allegations that MACC officers colluded with private individuals to strong-arm business rivals and abetted corporate takeovers.

Bloomberg, in its damning report, alleged that Azam was aware of the collusion and had acted in support of those perpetrating them.

‘Go ahead, file police report’

Speaking to the press today, the MACC chief brushed off the allegations as non-factual.

“If they want to run with unverified information, that is up to them. If anyone wants to file police reports on it, then go ahead,” he said.

Azam also rejected calls to go on leave pending investigations.

“If I need to go on leave, I can point to all those who have been charged in court but still on duty,” he added. -Mkini