Azam's shares: MP submits emergency motion for Parliament debate

 

Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming today submitted an emergency motion for Parliament to debate MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s shareholdings in a publicly-listed company.

“In accordance with Standing Orders 18(1)(2), this is a specific and urgent matter that is of public interest and this motion proposes that the august House debate on this matter and approve the resolution so that Azam will be placed on immediate leave until a full investigation has been conducted by the authorities including the police,” Nga said.

He said this in a letter dated Jan 17, 2021, which was sent to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.

Nga (above), who is a former deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, also pointed out in the letter what Rais Yatim, the chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Committee (PSC) on Corruption, had said.

He pointed out that Rais, on Jan 14, said the PSC on Corruption decided that the MACC chief commissioner should go on leave while under investigation.

However, Rais had said it is up to the Public Service Department to decide whether or not Azam should go on leave.

The PSC on Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday (Jan 19) to discuss Azam’s share ownership in two companies back in 2015.

Despite calls for the proceedings of the meeting to be made public, Azhar had said the Standing Orders do not allow open proceedings.

Public Accounts Committee chairperson Wong Kah Woh has since dismissed Azhar’s statement and said the speaker has the power to initiate a suspension of a Standing Order by referring the same to the House for a decision.

Azam came under scrutiny recently after allegations surfaced about him having owned shares in two companies back in 2015.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki

According to Excel Force Bhd's 2015 annual report, Azam owned 2,156,000 warrants in the company as of March 21, 2016. At the time, Azam was the head of MACC's investigation division.

However, in a press conference on Jan 5, Azam said he did not do anything wrong as the shares were bought by his brother, who only used his name. - Mkini