[UPDATED] PKR MPs lodge police reports against Azam Baki over ongoing MACC debacle

KUALA LUMPUR – Several reports have been lodged against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki by PKR lawmakers, in hopes to prompt police involvement in the ongoing debacle.

Speaking outside the Dang Wangi district police headquarters here, the MPs told the press how they hoped for a thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations against Azam to establish if there is any wrongdoing.

They said police have been urged to investigate Azam under at least three laws – Securities Industry (Central Depositories) (Sicda) Act 1991, the Rules for Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) 1993, and clauses within the Service Circular No.3/2002 concerning Ownership and Declaration of Assets by a Public Officer and requirements within the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act.

“This matter is important because it involves a core institution of the country’s administration, which is MACC, and we hope that the Royal Malaysia Police can investigate in detail, holistically, and thoroughly, and we are even prepared to assist police with this investigations based on the information we have,” said Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.

Other MPs present along with Fahmi outside the police headquarters include Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik, and Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah. 

Earlier, PKR Youth chief and Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir had lodged a similar police report against Azam at the same district headquarters.

He had suggested that the chief commissioner be investigated under anti-money laundering regulations to establish the source of funds supposedly used by his brother Nasir Baki to purchase the implicated shares.

Maszlee, a recent addition to PKR, said if Azam is an officer with integrity and accountability, he would voluntarily go on leave and allow investigations to take place unhindered.

He added that the incident has cast dark clouds over the perception of integrity in Malaysia, which can only be restored by a thorough investigation.

The former federal minister also warned that if proper action is not taken this time around, it would equate to Malaysians approving and allowing for such abuses to take place, setting a dangerous precedent.

If the people continue to remain silent, to just follow and approve of such wrongdoings, we will witness in the future our leaders, enforcers and those tasked with upholding integrity and accountability in the country to amass as much wealth as they can and then just brush it aside when confronted. They can just say it belongs to my brother, or sister, grandmother, or even grandfather, and just like that, they would be let off the hook.”

Maszlee said Malaysia should not risk this scandal becoming the starting point of a dark period in the nation, where the country degrades to a failed nation.

“The rakyat must rise and make sure Azam takes leave to be investigated, and if he has pride, he will resign.”

This comes after Azam had claimed innocence during a press conference held on Wednesday, saying the allegations against him were lies and done to tarnish his reputation.

However, legal counsels who spoke to The Vibes called his reasoning as “lame” and “untenable”. They were overall unconvinced with Azam’s declaration during Wednesday’s press conference.

In Parliament, a special motion looking to debate Azam’s issue and allegations was filed by Amanah’s Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, with several other lawmakers also expressing their doubts towards the chief commissioner.

Additionally, the Securities Commission has said it would call in all parties involved in the episode to seek an explanation into what transpired.

Azam also served a Letter of Demand to investigative journalist Lalitha Kunaratnam, whose reports alleging his abuses were published on the Independent News Service site.

Lalitha’s reports on INS titled “Business Ties Among MACC Leadership: How Deep Does It Go?” is a two-part series detailing Azam’s alleged abuses, and his supposed ties and ownership details within several public-listed companies. – The Vibes, January 7, 2022