Govt sets up special task force to probe Azam

 

Following allegations surrounding MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, the government has announced the formation of a special task force to investigate the head of the graft-busting agency.

Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the task force will probe into the allegations against Azam and will be chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

“Today, the cabinet has also discussed the issue involving Azam and has decided that a special committee chaired by the chief secretary to the government will investigate the allegations and matters raised concerning the MACC chief.

“Once the investigation is completed, the findings will be presented to the cabinet for any further action. This is part of our efforts to ensure transparency and integrity in the investigation process,” he said at his weekly press conference.

However, the communications minister did not specify the nature of the allegations.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki

Additionally, when queried regarding calls to suspend Azam pending an investigation, Fahmi stated that the issue was not discussed during the cabinet meeting.

He said the matter will be left to the deliberation of the chief secretary to the government pending the outcome of the investigation, adding that it is also expected to announce further details on the task force, including the deadline for completing the investigation.

The special task force came in the wake of renewed controversy surrounding Azam, including claims over his shareholdings and allegations of MACC’s involvement in an alleged “corporate mafia” said to be operating with his knowledge.

The controversy gained traction over the week following exposés by Bloomberg and Malaysiakini.

Checks with the Companies Commission of Malaysia’s record revealed that Azam had, at one point, held substantial shares in two publicly listed companies - Velocity Capital Partner Berhad and Awanbiru Technology Berhad.

The records indicated that Azam owned 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital and about 4.52 million shares in Awanbiru Technology.

Azam said he had declared all his shareholdings to the Public Service Department and had disposed of his portfolio by July last year, although he did not specify the exact date of disposal.

‘Open to probe’

Earlier today, Azam said he is open to being investigated by any independent committee the government establishes over the matter.

He has also since issued a letter of demand to Bloomberg over what he described as a defamatory article alleging that he held millions of shares in a financial services company.

Yesterday, Bloomberg published a separate article alleging that MACC officers, particularly an investigative unit dubbed "Section D", had colluded with business figures in schemes to edge out corporate rivals and orchestrate takeovers.

This was purportedly done with knowledge of the MACC’s top brass, including Azam.

MACC claimed that the allegations were made with malicious intent to tarnish the commission’s reputation. - Mkini