Reveal progress of 'corporate mafia', Azam Baki shareholdings' probes

 

The government has now made its position clear.

In a written parliamentary reply, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said stated that any decision to establish a royal commission of inquiry into the allegations relating to the "corporate mafia" and the shareholding issue involving the former MACC chief commissioner will be guided by the outcome of the ongoing investigations and the legal framework under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950.

The minister further stated that this approach is necessary to uphold the rule of law, preserve the integrity of the investigative process and safeguard the public interest.

Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has consistently maintained that allegations of this gravity must be addressed through independent, credible and transparent processes.

On Feb 13, TI-M called for an independent and time-bound verification of the allegations to safeguard confidence in Malaysia's anti-corruption institutions.

As broader concerns emerged regarding the integrity of the investigative process, TI-M reiterated its call on March 13 for the establishment of an RCI - recognising that only an independent inquiry could comprehensively address the serious issues raised.

TI-M agrees that any decision on an RCI should be based on facts established through credible investigations rather than speculation or public sentiment.

However, if the government's position is that an RCI must await the outcome of ongoing investigations, then the government must now account for the status of those investigations.

Months have passed

It has now been almost five months since these allegations first entered the public domain. During that time, the government announced the establishment of a special investigation committee and subsequently directed multiple agencies, including the police, MACC, Securities Commission and the Inland Revenue Board, to investigate the broader allegations.

Malaysians were also assured that the findings would be made public once the necessary processes had been completed.

Today, however, the government continues to state that investigations are ongoing.

While TI-M fully appreciates the need to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations, ongoing investigations cannot become an indefinite substitute for public accountability.

The government should now publicly account for the investigations it announced by explaining:

ADS

• the current status of each investigative track;

• the respective roles and scope of the agencies involved;

• whether the special investigation committee has completed its work and, if so, why its findings have yet to be made public;

• whether investigation papers have been submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers and their current status; and

• what outstanding matters remain before the government is able to determine whether the establishment of an RCI is warranted.

These are not requests for confidential evidence or operational details. They are legitimate questions arising from the government's own public commitments and its representations before Parliament.

Respect due process but…

TI-M makes no finding of wrongdoing against any individual or institution. The presumption of innocence and due process must be respected.

However, respect for due process cannot be equated with indefinite opacity. Transparency and accountability are equally fundamental to maintaining public confidence in the rule of law.

The government has stated that any decision on an RCI will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigations.

It must, therefore, also account for the progress of these investigations, what remains outstanding, and when Malaysians can reasonably expect them to be concluded.

Should the existing investigative processes fail to deliver timely, transparent and credible accountability, TI-M maintains that the justification for establishing an RCI will become increasingly compelling.

The public has waited patiently. We now want answers. - Mkini

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RAYMON RAM is the president of Transparency International Malaysia.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.