Abu Zahar Ujang no longer has the moral authority to remain as the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) chairperson after his botched attempt to clear MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki, said Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.
This was after the remaining six members of the ACAB disputed Abu Zahar's (above) declaration that there was no wrongdoing with regard to Azam owning millions of shares in two public listed firms in 2015.
"The statement by the six ACAB members who distanced themselves from Abu Zahar 'clearing' Azam Baki is very shocking.
"This raises the question if Abu Zahar made a unilateral decision to clear the MACC chief," Fahmi said.
The PKR lawmaker urged Abu Zahar to come clean.
"Abu Zahar has no choice but to provide a full explanation or resign immediately. It is clear that he no longer has the moral authority to be the ACAB chairperson.
"The statement by the six ACAB members is a major blow to Abu Zahar's credibility and is a form of a 'no-confidence vote' towards him," Fahmi added.
The six are Ismail Omar, Azman Ujang, Akhbar Satar, Hamzah Kassim, David Chua Kok Tee and Mohammad Agus Yusoff.
Abu Zahar, during a special press conference on Jan 5, had claimed the board had met with Azam and concluded that he did not have any pecuniary or beneficial interest with regard to the millions of shares in two firms purchased in 2015.
Abu Zahar also declared that neither was a crime committed nor was there a conflict of interest.
Not the board's position
However, the ACAB members said this was not the board's position and Abu Zahar had only expressed his personal opinion.
"We categorically wish to state that the board members at that meeting or at any time thereafter did not express such opinion as Abu Zahar attributed to.
"We also wish to state that these comments were entirely Abu Zahar’s personal view," they said in a press statement.
The six ACAB members revealed that they had recommended to Abu Zahar for an investigation by an independent body but it was not entertained.
The share ownership had raised questions on whether it was commensurate with his income as a public servant and conflict of interest concerns.
During the press conference, Abu Zahar claimed Azam didn't really own the shares and they were purchased by his younger brother in his name. They had since been transferred to the brother.
However, the explanation attracted the attention of the Securities Commission for possible misuse of trading accounts. - Mkini
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