Rafizi Ramli and seven other PKR MPs plan to rally their counterparts from DAP and Amanah to pressure Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to suspend MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki and launch an investigation into the allegations against him.
Speaking at a press conference today, Rafizi said they will be writing to the MPs next week.
“It is the DAP and Amanah leaders’ responsibility, as they are Pakatan Harapan components, to scrutinise this matter and confront Anwar.
“(Because) in my experience, of having been in the government and in the party, (commonly) what was voiced in PKR would easily be shut down by Anwar.
“But if it came from DAP and Amanah, usually Anwar would have to think twice… and DAP has to remember that after the Sabah election, every move they make, regarding this issue, will be closely monitored by the people, especially non-Malay voters,” he added.
The PKR MPs also intend to take their campaign beyond Harapan to gain support from opposition lawmakers.
“We will write to all MPs across parties to seek their support … (and) urge them to brief their constituents on the allegations (against Azam and MACC).
“We don’t care about any internal parties' matters… that’s up to them, what they want to do, bicker or whatever. What we want is just to rally their support, as we are doing this for the people.
“We will also write to Bersih, to suggest holding a peaceful rally, at a suitable time, in the near future, to allow the people to express their protest and concerns with the allegations involving MACC,” Rafizi said.
The other PKR MPs who have endorsed this stand were Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Wong Chen (Subang), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Lee Chean Chung (Petaling Jaya), S Kesavan (Sungai Siput), Tan Kar Hing (Gopeng) and Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju).
Don’t make the same mistake
At the same press conference, the former economy minister warned Anwar not repeat the same mistake as his predecessor Najib Abdul Razak when it comes to scandals exposed by international media.
“We’ve been through it, Malaysia has been through (the 1MDB scandal) and we know the ‘scripts’ when it comes to exposure by international media. We’ve seen what happened to 1MDB.
“As Anwar once proclaimed, the people are the judges of the nation. This matter will reach the people; it’s just a matter of time.”
He also said that he’s ready to go through “all over again” when it comes to being the target of intimidation tactics or investigations by MACC.
“I want to tell Anwar and Azam - I am a veteran when it comes to being arrested, raided, or put in lockup, I’m ready to go through it all again if he dares to try.”
Calls for Azam’s suspension, resignation
Following exposés by Bloomberg and Malaysiakini on Azam’s shareholdings, there have been widespread calls for the MACC chief to be investigated, suspended, or to resign.
The Companies Commission of Malaysia records revealed that Azam had at some point held considerable shares in two publicly listed companies.
Azam had owned 17.7 million shares in Velocity Capital Partner Berhad and around 4.52 million shares in Awanbiru Technology Berhad.
The MACC chief said he had declared all his shareholdings to the Public Service Department and had disposed of his portfolio by July last year, though he did not mention a specific date.
Azam, this morning, said that he had nothing to hide and is open to being investigated by any independent committee established by the government over his share ownership.
He reiterated that all his financial and asset declarations were made in accordance with applicable public service regulations and through the prescribed official channels, as required.
Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said that they are forming a special task force to investigate Azam, which will be chaired by Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
“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. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.