MP says PM once assured Azam will finally retire, Rafizi warns MACC future threat to Anwar

 

Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan said he had received assurances from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last month that MACC chief Azam Baki would not have his contract extended in May.

Meanwhile, Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli warned that unless the MACC is revamped, the graftbuster may become a threat to Anwar should there be a change of government in the future.

Speaking on the sidelines after attending a ceramah promoting the “Tangkap Azam Baki” (Arrest Azam Baki) rally this Saturday, Zahir said that Anwar had called him for a meeting after he and several other PKR MPs issued statements critical of the government.

He said that during the meeting between just the two of them about a month ago, Anwar had asked why the MPs were releasing such statements.

Zahir defended their decision, saying it was to air concerns about public issues, and he then brought up the matter of Azam as MACC chief.

"I asked the PM specifically about Azam's contract. At the time, the PM gave assurances to me that Azam's contract would not be extended.

"That was then. Now, we will have to wait for a few weeks. We will see," he told reporters.

Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan

Azam's contract is due to expire on May 12. He had previously received three contract extensions, with Anwar justifying it as necessary due to the former's purported bravery against corruption.

However, Azam's position had become tenuous after he became embroiled in yet another scandal in which he bought shares in excess of public service rules.

The government had concluded a probe on the matter, now under deliberation by the Public Service Department disciplinary board since last month.

The government, however, is withholding the probe's findings pending the conclusion of another investigation into purported collusion between MACC and the so-called "corporate mafia".

Table could turn

Rafizi said that if Azam sticks around, the latter may align himself with whoever heads the next government - should there be a change of power - and that this would be dangerous for Anwar.

Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli

"To show his loyalty to whoever is the new PM, if he (Azam) wants to stay in office, it means he has to hunt the new PM's enemies.

"The new PM will say (to Azam) you chased me before, now go after Anwar," he told reporters.

He said in such an event, it would strengthen the perception that the MACC is only going after Anwar's rivals. - Mkini