Muda and Pejuang have labelled integrity issues plaguing the MACC as the culmination of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's supposed failure to implement his promised reform agenda.
In launching a campaign aimed at raising public awareness and demanding accountability over matters affecting the anti-graft agency and its chief Azam Baki, the parties argued that such a measure would not be necessary if Anwar had fulfilled his previous pledges.
Voicing concerns that Azam (above, right) might continue to hold his position in the commission if Putrajaya ignores public pressure, Muda acting president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz said "100 percent" of the campaign's demands should be deemed Anwar's burden to fulfil.
"This campaign is a manifestation of (Anwar's) failure to implement all the institutional reform promises he had made since his days in the opposition,” she told a press conference at Muda's headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.
"We wouldn’t have to run this campaign, CSOs (civil society organisations) wouldn’t have to hold protests, and lawyers wouldn’t have to make demands at police stations if (Anwar) had not renewed Azam's contract - from 2023 to 2024, and now into 2025.”
Anwar had previously courted backlash, including from his daughter and PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah, over the controversial extension of Azam’s time in office.
In December last year, Azam acknowledged that the repeated extensions of his contract had drawn criticism from certain parties and hinted that his tenure might end upon the expiry of his contract in May this year.
Defending Azam
Amira, who is also the Puteri Wangsa assemblyperson, highlighted today that following recent reports regarding Azam’s shareholding, Anwar's “first response” was to “defend” the nation’s top anti-graft officer.
As such, she reiterated previous doubts expressed by various quarters on the independence of the Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar-led special committee tasked with probing Azam’s shareholding issue.
“There was no investigation yet (at the time), but the prime minister had already cleared Azam, because according to (Anwar), Azam is hardworking.
“So, (since) we know that the prime minister is so fond and protective of Azam, then we do not know how transparent the committee can actually be,” she said.
Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali, who was also present at the press conference, echoed similar sentiments, questioning whether the alleged lack of feedback from the three-member committee is part of a ploy to “divert” the public’s attention.
“There has been no response (from the committee), but over the past two weeks, our nation has been shaken by claims of a conspiracy involving prominent Zionists who supposedly want to topple the government.
“We are worried (as) we believe there may be quarters - whether those within the government, those holding the highest positions in the country, or other influential figures - trying to quietly divert the public’s attention from what has actually happened,” he alleged.
Besides Dusuki, the two other members of the committee are Public Service Department director-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican. All three members report to the prime minister.
On March 6, Anwar said he has yet to receive the committee’s report, which he has consistently said should be reviewed first before considering calls for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into Bloomberg’s report on an alleged “corporate mafia” within the MACC.
Opposing abuse of power
Rafique highlighted today that Muda and Pejuang’s efforts to raise public awareness via the “Tangkap Azam Baki Campaign” are not solely motivated by a desire to “reach Putrajaya”.
“We want to help the public understand that abuse of power must be opposed, even if it happens under a government led by someone who calls himself a reformist,” he said.
The campaign, which is expected to involve other parties and NGOs in the future, is understood to involve nationwide roadshows and social media content formulated to explain to the rakyat issues concerning the MACC and Azam.
Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir told today’s press conference that while there are plenty of MACC personnel who have maintained their integrity while carrying out their duties, distasteful actions by certain key officers have left a negative impression of the agency.
He further claimed that the selective investigation of alleged misdeeds has caused the perception of a double standard.
“Those who oppose the government will be subject to investigations, and action will be taken against them - it’s not just those outside the government, even those within the government, if they oppose (Anwar), action will be taken against them.
“But those who support the government and have a political advantage, especially for (Anwar), are free from any action,” he said.
He referenced the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for 47 corruption charges involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds. - Mkini
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