Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the cabinet are committed to disclosing MACC-linked investigations, once both aspects are thoroughly probed, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi said this in response to a question from a Bloomberg representative, who sought clarity on when the report on MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s shareholding will be made public, as well as an assurance that the report will be disclosed in its entirety.
“Regarding the issue of (Azam’s) shareholdings, there are also allegations made by an international media outlet claiming the possibility of a connection between Azam and corporate manipulation.
“As explained by the Amla (anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing) team on Monday, the investigation process is still ongoing.
“For that purpose, we must ensure the probe is fully completed before the results of the Azam shareholding investigation can be disclosed,” Fahmi told a post-cabinet meeting press conference today.
He also pointed to Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar’s recent statement, where the latter said proceedings related to Azam’s share ownership probe have already been initiated under the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
“For now, we must wait for processes implemented by the chief secretary as well as a more comprehensive investigation on allegations of corporate manipulation and whether any connection exists,” Fahmi added.
Two separate probes
Following reports by Bloomberg in February, Azam and the MACC have been at the centre of two separate probes: one on the nation’s top anti-graft officer’s share ownerships, and another on allegations of corporate manipulation.
Yesterday, former lawmaker Charles Santiago insisted that only a full disclosure of Azam’s shareholdings will suffice, arguing that the continued non-release of the probe’s findings is indefensible and signals a political culture “still clinging to secrecy and control”.
His calls were backed by MCA Youth secretary-general Saw Yee Fung, who questioned the justifications behind the delay in releasing the findings of the probe, which was presented to the cabinet on March 11.
On Monday, Bukit Aman’s Amla Investigation Unit chief Fazlisyam Abd Majid said police are carrying out a thorough probe on parties suspected of being directly or indirectly involved in managing funds derived from unlawful activities.
The case, which saw Ops Viking being conducted between Oct 15 last year and Jan 13 this year, involves several individuals suspected of committing money laundering offences through various methods.
The methods, Fazlisyam said, include the acquisition or ownership of publicly listed companies on Bursa Malaysia, as well as private companies.
He also confirmed that businessperson Victor Chin, who has been implicated in the “corporate mafia” scandal, was among 10 individuals detained under Ops Viking in December last year, with Chin having since been released on police bail.
Last month, Bloomberg named Chin as part of a network of businesspeople who allegedly colluded with the MACC to stage corporate takeovers of rivals, with the report accusing Azam of having knowledge of and supporting the alleged dealings.
Chin, who denied the claims while insisting that the authorities had victimised him, has also supported calls for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the matter and look into the MACC's alleged involvement.
MACC had previously denied allegations that its officers are involved in the “corporate mafia” scheme, dismissing such claims as baseless while alleging they are part of a smear campaign intended to undermine the agency’s reputation. - Mkini
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