KOTA KINABALU – The Parliamentary Select Committee for Agencies is questioning Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s recent statement, which appeared to be defending embattled anti-graft chief Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Committee members Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Sepanggar MP), Chan Foong Hin (Kota Kinabalu MP), Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka MP) and William Leong (Selayang MP) in a statement today said the minister’s statement yesterday only serves to belittle the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) issue.
“Our question is: why does Wan Junaidi seem to be protecting Azam?
“The issue of the share purchase is not just about affordability. It is also about conflict of interest, integrity, and the trust people put in MACC to eradicate corruption. Wan Junaidi seemed to have ignored all these matters.”
They added that Wan Junaidi contradicted Azam’s claim that it was not him that bought the shares, but his brother, using Azam’s trading account.
The MPs also said the Parliamentary Select Committee for Agencies, under the Prime Minister’s Department, should be involved in the investigation of Azam.
“The committee should be able to conduct its duties independently without needing to acquire permission from the executive.
“There is no need for the committee to get permission from Wan Junaidi and the Dewan Rakyat secretary. The committee’s meeting and hearing should no longer be postponed,” they said.
Yesterday, Wan Junaidi said in a statement that the shares acquired by Azam were not expensive, and were affordable to many.
He highlighted Public Officers Regulations Act (Conduct and Discipline) 1993, which states government servants are only prohibited from trading in the futures market, locally and abroad, while those who own shares in public-listed companies are required to declare them as assets.
Currently, he said, the case is being examined by the Securities Commission and police, adding that the views of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR) will be taken into consideration.
As for calls to place MACC under Parliament, Wan Junaidi said it is not a simple matter and must be looked at carefully.
“In order for MACC to be effective, it needs to operate independently.
“The establishment of MACC under the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) ensures the commission’s independence and this should not be compromised in any way.”
His comments come after six LPPR members refuted statements by chairman Tan Sri Abu Azhar Ujang that the board was satisfied with Azam’s explanation that his younger brother used his share-trading account to purchase shares.
Instead, they proposed for the matter to be referred to an independent committee, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption, and MACC’s complaints panel.
On Wednesday, Azam defended himself, saying that he is only answerable to the anti-graft body’s advisory board.
He added that he saw no need to come clean on the matter as he did not commit any crimes, nor was he involved in any conflicts of interest.
Azam was listed as a shareholder of Gets Global Bhd as at April 30, 2015, where he held 1.9 million shares, as well as 1.029 million shares as of March 31, 2016.
He also held 2.15 million warrants in Excel Force MSC Bhd from March 2016. – The Vibes, January 9, 2022
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