As the controversy involving the MACC continues to escalate, the DAP will propose at this Friday's cabinet meeting the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the alleged "corporate mafia" scheme.
According to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, the cabinet already discussed the recent allegations involving the MACC during its previous meeting on Feb 13 and agreed to set up a special task force to probe MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki over his shareholding controversy.
However, Loke said this alone was insufficient.
"There are two separate allegations. One concerns the shareholding issue, which we must investigate, and a special task force has already been set up for that.
"The other allegation concerns the 'corporate mafia'. I said (at the cabinet meeting) that the government must consider establishing an RCI.
"We first raised this proposal at the last cabinet meeting and will continue to push for it. This is DAP's position," said the transport minister in an interview with Malaysiakini yesterday.
More serious allegation
Loke opined that the so-called "corporate mafia" scheme represented a far graver issue than the shareholding controversy.
"What is being alleged now concerns the entire MACC as an institution," he said, adding that the special task force lacked sufficient powers to investigate such claims.
Azam is facing renewed scrutiny following reports by Bloomberg and Malaysiakini detailing more of his shareholdings, which appear to exceed limits imposed on civil servants.
A Bloomberg report also claimed he was aware of a "corporate mafia" network allegedly colluding with a MACC investigative unit known as "Section D".
On Feb 13, the government announced the formation of a special task force to investigate the allegations concerning Azam.
According to Loke, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo was the main speaker during the cabinet discussion, drawing on his previous experience as a practising lawyer who had handled similar cases.
He emphasised that the government must treat the allegations with utmost seriousness, particularly given Bloomberg's stature as an influential international media organisation whose report has attracted attention from foreign media and investors.
"These are not new allegations. We have heard similar complaints before, but no international media outlet has reported on them. This is the first time Bloomberg has done so.
"In fact, the matter was raised several years ago, even in Parliament. Gobind had mentioned it before, saying that his client had faced such issues."
Loke added that unless the matter was thoroughly clarified, the MACC would continue to operate under a cloud of suspicion - a situation he said would also be unfair to the agency.
Govt response 'inadequate'
When asked whether the government's response so far had been lacking, Loke did not mince his words.
"If the government's response was sufficient, I would not need to make a public call.
"To be frank, I feel the government's response has been inadequate and does not meet public expectations," said the minister.
Turning to the shareholding issue, Loke said the matter should be left to the special task force. Nonetheless, he maintained that cabinet ministers and senior civil servants should not be permitted to trade shares at all.
"If cabinet ministers are not permitted to trade shares, how much more so the MACC chief commissioner?" he asked.
Loke said he could not speak on behalf of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim regarding the reasons for Azam's three contract extensions.
However, he reiterated that DAP's position was that Azam should be replaced by a new appointee who commands greater public confidence and is free from controversy.
He added that the appointment process for the MACC chief should follow the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto, requiring parliamentary scrutiny before confirmation.
"The candidate must undergo parliamentary scrutiny and be questioned by a special select committee. The prime minister still has the right to nominate, but the nominee's track record and background must first be vetted by a parliamentary committee," Loke said.
Azam has denied wrongdoing and said his transactions were properly declared to the Public Service Department, while the MACC said it would not entertain "malicious" foreign media.
Azam's lawyers are seeking RM100 million in damages from Bloomberg for the alleged harm to the MACC chief's reputation and professional standing. - Mkini
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