Some 50 protesters led by businessperson Albert Tei gathered outside the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya today to amplify calls for the arrest of its chief, Azam Baki.
Various speakers took turns highlighting allegations against Azam and MACC, as reported by Bloomberg, now the target of an RM100 million lawsuit.
Tei, who mocked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for allegedly defending Azam, referred to the anti-graft head as “Azam Ibrahim”.
He also echoed calls for an independent royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to be set up, insisting that Azam and Attorney-General Dusuki Moktar - as chair of the government-led taskforce - similarly shared close relations.
“If we are the ones who broke the law, we will be arrested and investigated. Why the special treatment for him (Azam)?
“Why is he above the law?” claimed Tei, who was arrested and twice charged in connection with the Sabah mining corruption scandal that was exposed through a series of videos.
Tei further supported calls for the RCI to be led by former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, a name also previously mooted by civil society groups and others to lead the government-formed panel.
Protesters, under the watch of MACC and police personnel, raised placards with images of Azam and called for his arrest.
Civil suit against Azam
Social media influencer Syarul Ema Rena Abu Samah, better known as “Ratu Naga”, said her claim to fame includes being one of the two individuals who filed a civil suit against Azam.
“The first is (the late) Daim (Zainudin), and the second is me, Ratu Naga,” she said.
According to media reports, Syarul Ema had, on March 8, 2024, named the MACC, Azam and the government in an originating summons filed over claims that she had been denied the rights to legal counsel while being questioned by the agency.
“That investigation against me was only based on allegations in a poison pen letter.
“But in Azam’s case, despite various evidence, various reports, have we seen him being questioned or investigated?” the Bersatu-linked content creator said today.
On Feb 22, Azam was summoned before the special committee to explain his shareholdings in Velocity Capital Partner Berhad, focusing on the compliance and regularity of the 17.7 million shares purchased at around RM1.5 million.
The probe followed a “Tangkap Azam Baki 2.0” protest in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 15, which saw hundreds, including PKR MPs and civil society, join forces to call for Azam’s resignation and arrest.
MACC scandal exposé
Bloomberg and Malaysiakini separately reported earlier this month that Azam owned significant shares in two companies that appeared to be in excess of what the civil service allowed.
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.
Subsequently, Bloomberg published another report, alleging that MACC officers had colluded with private individuals to strong-arm business rivals and stage corporate takeovers and that Azam was aware of the collusion and had even acted in support of such acts.
Amid escalating calls for a probe into allegations that its officers are entangled in a “corporate mafia” scheme, the MACC on Feb 24 issued a second firm denial and dismissed the claims as baseless.
Also seen at the MACC headquarters today was PAS Sungai Buloh division chief, Zaharudin Muhammad, who repeated his call for future MACC chiefs to be elected by the people through an “election” similar to voting for a state assemblyperson or federal lawmaker.
Other supporting groups include Urimai and Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement.
The protest organisers dispersed the group at close to noon with final jabs at Azam and an attempt to sing what was described as a “song learnt from the Bersih rally”. - Mkini
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