TI-M wants independent probe in Azam Baki's case

 

Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) has called for an independent investigation into shareholding claims implicating MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, following conflicting statements on the matter.

TI-M president Muhammad Mohan Abdullah in a statement cited separate statements by Anti- Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) chairperson Abu Zahar Ujang, who cleared Azam (above) of alleged wrongdoings, and other ACAB members who claimed the view was a personal opinion.

"We urge the government to commission an independent investigation body consisting of properly qualified and independent persons to uncover the facts of the case and determine if any laws or rules were broken.

"Such a body should be answerable to and shall report their findings to the Parliamentary Special Committee on Corruption for its review and recommendations," said Mohan.

"Such an independent investigation will also give Azam the opportunity to defend himself against the allegations levelled against him, and in the process protect the good name of MACC.

"Given how events and statements on this matter have been made public, the rakyat deserves to know the truth," he said.

Mohan also stressed its stand that only prompt affirmative action and transparency from the government will help to protect MACC's integrity and the fight against corruption and abuse of power.

Earlier today, members of the Special Select Committee (PSC) for Agencies under the Prime Minister's Department - Chan Foong Hin (Pakatan Harapan-Kota Kinabalu), Khoo Poay Tiong (Harapan-Kota Melaka), Azis Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar) and William Leong (Harapan-Selayang) - issued a joint statement challenging Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

They said Wan Junaidi appeared to downplay the gravity of the scandal by noting its value at the time of purchase and how it was affordable to acquire.

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.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Azam said he had told the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) that his trading account was used by his younger brother Nasir to acquire the shares in the two companies in 2015.

Since then, the Securities Commission had said they would reach out to Azam over his admission, while all three MACC deputy commissioners had claimed the attacks were "politically motivated" against the commission. - Mkini