Three protestors have been arrested after waving “Tangkap Azam Baki” (Arrest Azam Baki) placards while the MACC chief commissioner delivered a public address at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.
The “silent protest” occurred while Azam was delivering his keynote speech at the Wacana Ilmiah Perdana event, with at least one protester audibly shouting the slogan as others raised their placards.
The protestors were apprehended by auxiliary police at the scene, while a video recording showed Azam leaving the venue soon after.
When contacted by Malaysiakini, lawyer Balqis Qisteena Zeedren confirmed that three youths were arrested during the incident.
The trio were identified as Mandiri coordinators Hamdin Nordin and Fakrurrazzi Khairur Rijal, and Liga Mahasiswa Malaysia activist Ahsanul Akmal Sulam.
Meanwhile, another lawyer representing the trio, Humaidi Zulkifli, said the three detainees were brought to the Dang Wangi police headquarters around 4.30pm.
Malaysiakini has contacted KL police chief Fadil Marsus and the PWTC auxiliary police for comments.
‘Democracy is alive and well’
Following the arrests, Mandiri coordinator Wong Kueng Hui issued a statement condemning the move, demanding that the three be released immediately.
“The three of them were present to peacefully and silently protest against the integrity issues of the MACC, especially regarding the shareholding controversy and the MACC mafia corporate allegations.
“Mandiri strongly demands the immediate release of the three activists and to stop all forms of intimidation against activists and students,” Wong said.
Separately, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman said that the public has a right to express discontent over an issue, and whether it is true or false should be decided by the judiciary.
“If we take the earlier commotion as an example, it is a sign that democracy is alive and well in our country, reflecting a high level of public awareness among those seeking the truth or standing up for what they believe in,” she said when contacted by Malaysiakini.
Syefura was scheduled to speak in a forum alongside several other panellists, after Azam’s speech at the event.
She had also commended Azam’s reaction to the sudden protest, saying that he had displayed professionalism during the incident.
Scrutiny against Azam
The protest against Azam comes amid renewed mobilisation by the Tangkap Azam Baki secretariat, of which the detained trio are affiliated members.
On March 30, the secretariat announced plans to hold a demonstration against the MACC chief at Dataran Merdeka on April 25.
The demonstration is intended to demand a more thorough and transparent investigation into Azam’s shareholding controversy, as well as allegations of misconduct linked to a so-called “corporate mafia”.
The secretariat lamented that both issues have yet to receive a clear and conclusive explanation from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Madani government.
The upcoming rally follows a series of protests held in recent months over the allegations surrounding Azam.
On Feb 15, hundreds took to the streets in Kuala Lumpur calling for his resignation and arrest.
This was followed by another protest on Feb 27 outside the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya, organised by businessperson Albert Tei and activist Lee Wai Hong.
Azam has been facing intense scrutiny after Bloomberg and Malaysiakini reported that he owned significant shares in two companies, exceeding civil service limits.
In response, the government set up a special committee led by Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar to examine the compliance and regularity of 17.7 million shares that Azam purchased for around RM1.5 million.
The cabinet received and discussed the committee’s findings on March 11, but did not disclose them. - Mkini
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