Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has described the claim by Bersih that the MACC is becoming a political tool of the government as unfair and made without first examining the relevant reports.
According to Bernama, Anwar said any accusations should be made responsibly and based on facts, not sentiment or “political appetite”.
“That is Bersih’s view, but it is unfair (for) Bersih not to make a clean statement.
“If you want to make accusations, wait for the report first and then give an answer,” said Anwar after attending the Ihya Ramadan Programme at the Public Services Department in Putrajaya today.
The prime minister, currently faced with allegations that he has been protecting Azam Baki against calls for the MACC chief’s resignation amid an ongoing corruption probe, insisted he was not defending any individual.
He stressed that the government had established a relevant committee to probe the allegations against Azam, and that the matter was also under the scrutiny of the authorities, including the attorney-general.
“I am not defending anyone, but we already have a committee, and I trust the attorney-general. Let us wait for the report and the explanation first.
“We have not even received the report yet, but accusations are already being made according to political appetite.
“That is what I mean by political appetite. Please… especially during the month of Ramadan, we should not attack people without first obtaining the facts,” he was quoted as saying.
Previously, Bersih in a statement condemned the MACC, which it claimed has increasingly deviated from its original mandate to combat corruption.
Referencing MACC’s latest probe against James Chai, a former aide to ex-economy minister Rafizi Ramli, Bersih claimed the enforcement agency is now seen as a tool of political intimidation.
Anwar today maintained that all parties have the right to voice their criticisms, including against Azam, but it must be done consistently and based on facts.
Waiting for committee’s report
Meanwhile, Anwar also said that he is still waiting for a report from the attorney-general before making any further statements.
He stressed that the government should not draw conclusions until it has received and fully reviewed the Special Investigation Committee’s official report on Azam’s alleged shareholding.
“That is the report I am waiting for. It was supposed to be ready today, but (so far) I have not received it,” he said when asked whether the committee’s investigation report had been completed.
On Feb 13, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said a special committee had been established to investigate claims that the MACC chief held a significant stake in a financial services company based on corporate filings.
Azam, however, maintained that his RM800,000 shareholding in the financial services firm was transparent and complied with all procedures.
On Feb 19, he was summoned to provide statements regarding the shareholding issue.
Fahmi previously said the government will deliberate on the committee’s report before deciding whether to establish a royal commission of inquiry to investigate separate claims against the MACC. - Mkini
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