Another “Tangkap Azam Baki” protest will be held at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 10am this Friday to pressure the government to take strong action against the anti-graft agency and its chief commissioner.
This time, the rally is propelled by controversial businessperson Albert Tei and activist Lee Wai Hong, who want the government to investigate allegations that MACC is involved in a scheme of collusion with business figures to oust rivals and orchestrate corporate takeovers.
Citing a recent Bloomberg article on the alleged “corporate mafia” scheme, they said the news agency’s investigation revealed in detail how MACC was allegedly used as a tool to force business founders into surrendering their company shares.
“When the agency meant to curb corruption operates with the selective and discriminatory tactics of a criminal syndicate, it completely destroys Malaysia’s free-market integrity, deters foreign investment, and makes a mockery of our justice system.
“We cannot stand by while our tax dollars fund an institution that protects cronies and persecutes citizens.
“To demand accountability and defend the independence of our state apparatus, the secretariat of the ‘Arrest Azam Baki Rally’ officially calls upon all Malaysians to voice their outrage,” the organisers said in a statement.
Chance for people to voice out
The demonstration would be the second such recent protest against Azam.
Lee told Malaysiakini they are not related to the organisers of the “Tangkap Azam Baki 2.0” rally in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 15, but said they are serving the same purpose.
According to the activist, the protest this Friday is to keep the issue running and ensure that people do not forget.
It is also to give the chance for many who could not attend the Feb 15 rally due to the Chinese New Year celebration to voice out, Lee added.
The organisers are expecting a turnout of around 100 people because it is held during a working day and Ramadan.
“We chose to do it on Friday because we want to show the people who are working at the MACC (headquarters) that it is actually a shame for them.
“So that’s why we need to do it on a working day, even though we expect that it would only attract a small group of people,” he said.
Malaysiakini has reached out to MACC and the police for their comments on the planned protest.
Alleged takeover tactic
On Feb 12, Bloomberg reported that MACC, including senior officials, allegedly colluded with certain business figures to oust rivals and orchestrate corporate takeovers.
The report detailed a tactic in which a select group of businesspersons would target a company, then file MACC complaints against it. MACC would then investigate the company’s founders, exerting pressure that enabled the complainants to gain control of the firm.
Eyewitnesses, including insiders from MACC, claimed that some businesspeople or their representatives were even present at the agency’s offices when their competitors were brought in for questioning.
Following the report, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The story emerged amid scrutiny of Azam, whose tenure has been extended three times by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, over the MACC chief’s shareholdings. This is the focus of a separate inquiry.
Azam has denied any wrongdoing and welcomed the investigation. He has also filed a RM100 million defamation suit against Bloomberg. - Mkini
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