KUALA LUMPUR – Multi-ethnic reform group Aliran has issued an online petition demanding Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to investigate allegations against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) top leadership.
Aliran’s executive committee expressed its shock over economist Prof Edmund Terence Gomez’s resignation from one of the anti-graft panels and his allegations that MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki has “diverse business interests and business ties”.
“This and the revelations about possible conflicts of interest in the leadership of MACC require an immediate response from the parties concerned.
“They also require an open and independent investigation led by a bipartisan parliamentary committee. There must be no cover-up.
“We also demand that the MACC be moved out of the Prime Minister’s Department and placed directly under the supervision of a bipartisan parliamentary select committee,” said Aliran in the petition.
It added that this is essential in order for MACC to gain public trust as an independent body fighting corruption.
Earlier, Aliran had issued a statement commending Gomez’s decision to step down over the perception that MACC is unwilling or reluctant to investigate the chief commissioner.
“We recommend that the MACC be put under the purview of Parliament instead.
“This would allow for a select committee, comprising the people’s elected representatives, to monitor the commission’s performance and hold its top officers accountable to the public,” it said.
Meanwhile, Anti-Corruption Advisory Board chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang had denied receiving any emails from Gomez detailing the latter’s suspicion and allegations against Azam.
The head of MACC’s oversight body said the board of administration is still waiting for the emails Gomez claims to have sent.
“Not a single email was received. I also checked with the administration, and they said no letter was received. Gomez’s statement has tarnished my integrity,” he was quoted as saying by Malay daily Utusan Malaysia.
At the time of writing, the petition, which started a day ago, has received more than 800 signatories. – The Vibes, January 1, 2022
