Kit Siang: Is PAS blocking PSC probe against Azam Baki?

A federal lawmaker has questioned if PAS is putting up roadblocks to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department investigating MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki.

Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang noted that amid the demand for accountability from Azam, PAS has instead come to the MACC chief's defence, stating that his explanation should put the matter to rest.

He added that coincidentally, the head of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department is PAS' Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman.

"Is it as a result of the directives from his party PAS and the prime minister which is the reason why the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department has not met or summoned Azam Baki to appear before the special select committee to clear himself of the conflict-of-interest allegation?

"For how long is Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob going to keep his silence on the Azam-gate?" Lim asked in a statement.

Azam is under pressure over his previous ownership of millions of shares in two public-listed companies.

The share ownership in 2015 and 2016 had raised questions on whether it was commensurate with his income as a public servant and conflict of interest concerns.

Azam claimed the shares were not his but were bought in his name by his younger brother. They have since been transferred to his brother.

However, the explanation attracted the attention of the Securities Commission over the possible misuse of trading accounts.

'Nonsense that PSC needs executive green light'

Opposition MPs have been pushing the special select committee to investigate Azam over the share ownership but the panel has yet to convene as it requires a green light from the executive.

This, Lim said, made nonsense of the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary.

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said Azam's explanation should put allegations of misconduct to rest.

Takiyuddin, who is also the energy and natural resources minister, alleged that the accusations against Azam were meant to destabilise Ismail Sabri's government.

The Islamist party, however, does not appear to have a unified position with its youth wing calling for an independent probe.

"PAS Youth views this matter seriously, and it is the obligation of the government and the prime minister to take immediate action by holding an independent and open investigation.

"PAS Youth respectfully also recommends that all those involved, including the top MACC officers, go on leave until their names are cleared,” PAS Youth Ahmad Fadhli Shaari had said. - Mkini