Be transparent on MACC chief appointment in future, PM urged

 

All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption chairperson Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must be transparent over Azam Baki's tenure extension as MACC chief commissioner.

"In the future, the process of appointment needs to be transparent and we should list out the criteria (for chief commissioner).

“This will deter any negative perception of the MACC chief commissioner," Syed Ibrahim (above) told a press conference today at Karangkraf.

Last Friday, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's contract was extended for one more year.

According to Anwar, Azam's tenure was extended because he did a satisfactory job during his term.

Meanwhile, political economist Edmund Terence Gomez said he was disappointed with Anwar’s response to Azam's reappointment.

"I must say that (Anwar's response) is not acceptable. Azam’s credibility has long been in question.

"And he didn't appear before the Parliament to answer the allegations," said Gomez.

Political economist Edmund Terence Gomez

Azam’s contract extension was announced on May 10. He reached his mandatory retirement age on May 12.

He was appointed as MACC chief in 2020 by then-prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, replacing Latheefa Koya who resigned after the change in government that year.

Under the MACC Act 2009, a MACC chief commissioner is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong - based on the prime minister's advice.

However, Azam came under fire over a share ownership scandal that raised questions on whether it was commensurate with his income as a public servant and sparked conflict of interest concerns.

Azam claimed the shares were not his but purchased by his brother in his name, prompting the Securities Commission to also get involved over the possible misuse of his trading account.

Agreeing with Gomez, APPG deputy chair Mas Ermieyati Samsuddin, also questioned the government over Azam's tenure extension.

"They (Pakatan Harapan) questioned Azam's credibility and organised a lot of discussion in the past but now, they are the ones who reappointed him.

All-Party Parliamentary Group deputy chair Mas Ermieyati Samsuddin

Mas Ermieyati said the prime minister should give a reasonable answer not only for his sake but also to be transparent to Malaysians. - Mkini