Fresh calls to probe Azam after corruption ranking drops below 2012 level

 

PKR MPs have renewed calls for the government to act on MACC chief Azam Baki, who is currently embroiled in a “crisis of morale and integrity”.

This is after Malaysia’s ranking in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) dropped to the worst level since 2012.

In a statement, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah said the drop reflected on the government’s lack of political will to tackle corruption, citing the Azam case as an example.

“The government under Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob should act fast to correct the perception that has befallen Malaysia for fear of severe repercussions in the future,” she added.

Azam came under the spotlight over his ownership of close to two million shares in a public-listed company between 2015 and 2016.

The share ownership had raised questions on whether it was commensurate with his income as a public servant and conflict of interest concerns.

Azam has denied wrongdoing.

The 2021 CPI published on Thursday shows that the country’s score has fallen for the second time in a row, dropping three points from last year’s report which resulted in a score of 48 out of 100.

The score deterioration is reflected in Malaysia’s ranking, which dropped to the 62nd spot from 54 in 2012.

Following the release of the report, the MACC has vowed to review the findings and come up with recommendations.

However, Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir said the solution for the graft buster and the government was to conduct a transparent probe on Azam.

“I believe this is the first step that should be taken by the government and MACC to clear the name of the institution as well as the good name of Malaysia on an international level,” the PKR Youth chief said in a separate statement.

The PKR MPs also repeated calls to place the MACC under Parliament and be independent to avoid any interference. - Mkini