‘We have your back, Azam’: MACC expresses support for its chief

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has thrown its backing to its embattled chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki amid allegations of impropriety involving the top dog.

In a memorandum of support issued this morning, the anti-graft body said the commission is united in defending the institution and its chief for the sake of its continued fight against corruption, and called for an immediate end to the ongoing imbroglio.

The statement was jointly signed by MACC’s three deputy chief commissioners – Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya (operations), Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali (prevention) and Datuk Junipah Wandi (management and professionalism).

“We represent the whole of MACC in stating our stand of supporting Azam’s leadership,” the statement read.

“We are of the view that the allegations and attacks made against him are motivated by the politics of revenge, to tarnish MACC’s image and reputation.

“We urge all quarters to stop the attacks and allow the due legal process to be carried out fairly, transparently and equitably.”

Azam has come under heavy fire since details of his purchase of millions of ringgit of shares in two public-listed companies were made public. 

The chief commissioner explained in a special press conference on Wednesday that the purchase of the shares was actually done by his brother, Datuk Nasir Baki, under his name, and that all the shares have since been transferred back to the latter.

According to Azam, the allegations were made against him by certain interested parties who wanted to use him to attack the MACC and ruin the commission’s image and his personal reputation.

In the same presser, MACC Advisory Board (LPPR) chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang said that it had held a meeting with Azam on November 24 last year to seek explanation on the allegations against him.

Abu Zahar said that based on the meeting, LPPR was satisfied by Azam’s explanation and found no criminal elements or conflicts of interest involving the latter that warrant further probe.

In a twist of events yesterday, six other members of the seven-man LPPR issued a statement denying that the board had found Azam not culpable of conflict of interest, and insisted they do not share the same opinion as Abu Zahar. 

 “We wish to state that these comments were entirely Abu Zahar’s personal view,” they said, adding that a proposal to refer Azam for an independent probe was ignored by the chairman of LPPR.

The six members also reminded Abu Zahar that the board has no investigative powers as it merely functions in an advisory capacity.

Meanwhile, the Securities Commission (SC) has said it will summon Azam for questioning, after the latter said his brother had bought the shares under his name, before deciding on the next course of action.

 The SC noted that under Section 25 of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991, every securities account opened with a central depository must be in the name of the beneficial owner of the deposited securities or in the name of an authorised nominee. – The Vibes, January 9, 2022