Govt denies Bloomberg report on alleged delay in MACC probe disclosure

 Chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar says the claim is unfounded and misleading.

Chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the Attorney-General’s Chambers would take further action against Bloomberg over a ‘misleading’ report. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The government has denied a Bloomberg report alleging Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of instructing a special committee to delay releasing the findings into the shareholdings of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki.

In a statement, chief secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said the claim was unfounded and misleading.

He clarified that following the tabling of the investigation committee’s findings at the Cabinet meeting on March 11, proceedings against Azam had already been initiated in accordance with the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.

“These proceedings involve established processes and procedures that must be followed. Any further developments will be announced from time to time,” he said.

Shamsul said the Attorney-General’s Chambers would take further action against Bloomberg over the report.

The denial comes after Bloomberg reported yesterday that Anwar had allegedly urged officials to hold off on making public the findings of a probe into Azam’s shareholdings, pending the completion of a separate investigation into claims of collusion involving certain businessmen and MACC officials.

Azam and the MACC have previously denied any wrongdoing regarding the allegations.

Bloomberg had reported that Azam held 17.7 million shares (1.7%) in Velocity Capital Bhd, based on the company’s annual return lodged on Feb 3 last year.

Azam is alleged to have breached a 2024 government circular limiting civil servants to holding no more than 5% of paid-up capital or RM100,000 in value, whichever is lower, in Malaysian-incorporated companies.

Azam said the transaction was declared and the shares were disposed of last year. His lawyers filed a lawsuit against Bloomberg over its report, seeking RM100 million in damages.

Bloomberg has stood by its reporting.

The government formed a special committee to probe the shareholding allegations involving Azam, the findings will be examined by the public service department’s disciplinary board. - FMT