A group of activists marched to Parliament today to hand over a memorandum urging the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate “corporate mafia” allegations involving the MACC.
The group, named the #RCINOW Secretariat, formerly known as the #TangkapAzamBaki Secretariat, marched from Taman Tugu to the Parliament building, about 1.5km away.
Bersih executive director Asraf Sharafi said Malaysians have a responsibility to continue fighting corruption and to ensure national institutions are held accountable.
“We have a huge responsibility today to remind those at the top that we will fight corruption for the country’s sake,” he said during his speech at the entrance of Parliament.
Bersih is among dozens of NGOs supporting the #RCINOW Secretariat.
The march proceeded to the beating of drums and cheers from participants before the memorandum was handed over to Pakatan Harapan MPs Wong Chen (Subang) and Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Perikatan Nasional MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang), and GRS MP Wilfred Madius Tangau (Tuaran).
Previously, several DAP leaders, including national chairperson Gobind Singh Deo, called for the establishment of an RCI to investigate the “corporate mafia” allegations - claims which MACC strongly denied and described as an attempt to undermine its credibility.
The allegations were made in a Bloomberg report in February, quoting sources who claimed there was collusion between a group of businesspersons and senior MACC officials to stage corporate takeovers.
However, then-MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the allegations were based on unverified information and aimed at tarnishing the anti-graft agency’s credibility.
‘Opposition Anwar would’ve marched with us’
The #RCINOW Secretariat also urged the government to limit the prime minister’s power in the process of dismissing an MACC chief and to strengthen oversight of the commission through parliamentary roles such as an ombudsman.
“If Anwar were still on the opposition bench, I believe he would be with us today,” said Mandiri coordinator Wong KuKui.
He said he still remembered Anwar’s words about wanting to catch “big sharks”.
“This is why we demand an RCI, to catch the rampant big sharks that tarnish our country’s integrity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wong also urged the government to publicly disclose the investigation report regarding Azam’s share ownership, reportedly valued at RM14 million.
Throughout his tenure leading the MACC, Azam and the commission were mired in several controversies, including his share ownership issue and allegations regarding the “corporate mafia”.
Azam’s contract as chief commissioner was extended three times before his service ended on May 12.
In February, he filed a RM100 million defamation suit against Bloomberg over the report on his shareholdings. - Mkini
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