KUALA LUMPUR – The Association of Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Officers has called for the rule of law to be upheld pertaining to MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki’s share trading controversy.
Its president Datuk Mazlan Mohamad, in a statement today, said the association stands by the legal principle that one is innocent until proven otherwise, instead of trial by the public or media.
Mazlan stressed that his association has full confidence in the country’s criminal justice system as well as the legal process, which guarantees the “dignity” of individuals and organisations as enshrined in the federal constitution.
“The actions by various parties against Tan Sri Azam Baki personally and the MACC in general, are seen as excessive and it’s as though Azam and the MACC institution are ‘guilty’ of the allegations, which can result in erosion of public confidence in the country’s sole anti-graft agency.”
Therefore, he hoped there will be no speculation made by any quarter about the matter. Instead, he urged the public to await the results of the investigation conducted by police and the Securities Commission (SC), as mentioned by Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin and the SC itself.
In the meantime, he said the association is confident that both the institutions will conduct an independent, fair and transparent investigation in accordance with the provisions of the country’s laws.
“We urge both parties to expedite the investigation process.
“We also request for all parties, be it those who are of interest or otherwise, to fully support the legal process and keep emotions out of this issue.”
In addition, he called on the public to give their full support and cooperation to the MACC in its efforts to fight corruption, to ensure the country is free from such dirty acts and continue to develop as a peaceful and prosperous country.
Embattled 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 last 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 on Saturday, 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 10, 2022
