DAP women’s wing legal bureau chief Sangeet Kaur Deo and Muda secretary-general Ainie Haziqah Shafiee have turned the spotlight on findings related to former MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s shareholdings.
Sangeet (above), who is the daughter of former DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh and sister of current chairperson Gobind Singh Deo, noted that a special committee was set up months ago to investigate the scandal and had produced a report.
“Yet to date, it remains withheld. Why has there been silence about such serious allegations against a public institution mandated to fight graft?” she asked in a statement.
She also called for answers on the investigation into the “corporate mafia” scandal, in which MACC officials were accused of colluding with businesspeople to facilitate corporate takeovers.
“The allegations published by Bloomberg were exceptionally serious. They suggested the existence of a network operating within and around the nation’s principal anti-corruption agency.
“Yet, despite the considerable public concern generated by those allegations, there has been little visibility as to the progress or outcome of any investigations,” she added.
Sangeet said that although the public had been told that investigations were ongoing, there has been little explanation regarding their outcome or current status.
“How many individuals have been investigated? Have the specific allegations and information contained in the Bloomberg exposé been fully examined?” she asked.
She emphasised that replacing Azam is not a substitute for a full and transparent investigation.
“Is this investigation now being quietly swept under the carpet?” she asked.
Previously, DAP leaders, including Gobind, have repeatedly called for the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the corporate mafia allegations, which the MACC vehemently denied, claiming it was an attempt to tarnish its reputation.
Azam, whose contract was extended three times by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, stepped down on May 12 and was replaced by former High Court judge Abd Halim Aman.
‘Whether clears or condemns, release report’
In a separate statement, Muda’s secretary-general recalled the government’s earlier promise to disclose the findings of the shareholdings report once all related investigations were fully completed.
“On June 12, it will be one month since Azam retired from the MACC. However, his retirement does not erase the unanswered questions that remain to this day,” said Ainie.
She said the public has every right to know what is preventing the government from releasing the findings.
“If the report clears Azam, release it. If the report finds any wrongdoing, release it. In either case, there is no reasonable justification for continuing to withhold the report from the public.
“The government can end Azam’s contract. But it cannot end the public’s questions about Azam. If there is nothing to hide, release the report. As long as the report remains concealed, the questions will continue to persist,” she added. - Mkini
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