MP urges probe on MACC chief over alleged shares in public listed company

PARLIAMENT | R Sivarasa (Harapan-Sungai Buloh) has filed an urgent motion seeking the Dewan Rakyat to discuss MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's alleged ownership of close to two million shares in a public listed company.

Sivarasa, in a statement, said he was informed that Azam, between 2015 and 2016 as MACC's investigation director, became the owner of 930,000 shares in Gets Global Bhd as at April 30, 2015, and a further 1,029,000 shares as at March 31, 2016.

Sivarasa claimed Azam, as at March 21, 2016, also owned 2,156,000 warrants in public listed Excel Force MSC Bhd, while his younger brother, identified as Nasir Baki, owned 3,728,000 shares in Gets Global.

"Section 23 of Service Circular 3/2002 prevents a public servant from owning more than RM 100,000 value of shares in any company.

"Section 10 of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993 also requires public officers to declare all their assets to their heads of department," said Sivarasa (above).

Malaysiakini has contacted Azam for comments. 

Given the circumstances, the PKR MP said there are questions arising that must be answered in Parliament in accordance with its oversight function.

"What is the source of funds he (Azam) used to purchase these shares and warrants? Did he declare these assets to his superiors?

"If he did, what was the action taken for breach of the Service Circular? Was his brother Nasir's ownership of shares a proxy for Azam?" he said.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki

At the same time, Sivarasa said there were concerns over potential conflict of interest with Nasir's alleged ownership of shares in another company, RI Intelligence Sdn Bhd. The company is said to provide intelligence services and claims to be able to do "executive searches for those requiring a more extensive background check on certain individuals".

Aside from urging Parliament to discuss the allegations, Sivarasa said an investigation is also needed under section 36 of the MACC Act 2009.

He said this is to evaluate Azam's income and liabilities at the relevant time and determine whether his ownership of the said assets and other assets in his possession constitutes "excessive" assets and, therefore, a serious offence under the act.

"The head of the MACC as the main body entrusted to fight corruption must be without any taint at all.

"Hence, the need for an immediate independent investigation as such an investigation cannot be conducted by MACC itself," he said. - Mkini