PUTRAJAYA – Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang says he is willing to be removed as the chairman of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR) if it is determined that his action last week had tarnished the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) name.
In a special press conference today, Abu Zahar said he will leave it up to the federal government and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide his fate as the head of the board.
This is following his remarks on January 5, when he cleared MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki of wrongdoing over share-trading allegations, later prompting other members of his board to distance themselves from him.
“If my statement last week had caused unintended misunderstanding to the point it has tarnished the good name of MACC, which I never intended to, I will leave it up to the discretion of the government and Agong to decide my position.
“I will certainly accept any decision,” he said.
On January 5, Abu Zahar had said that LPPR had conducted a meeting with Azam on November 24 last year to seek explanation on the allegations that he had purchased millions of ringgit of shares in public-listed companies.
He had said the board was satisfied by Azam’s explanation – that the shares were actually bought by his brother Datuk Nasir Baki under his name – and found no criminal elements or conflict of interest that warrant further probe.
Amid public backlash, the six other members of the seven-man LPPR issued a separate statement denying the board had found Azam not culpable of conflict of interest, and insisted they did not share the same opinion as Abu Zahar.
Addressing the press today, Abu Zahar said his initial statement on January 5 was not reported in full by the media, leading to misunderstanding among the public.
“There were various other issues, other than the ones involving Azam, highlighted by me and the board (last week), but they were not reported. Furthermore, videos of my press conference that went viral only displayed a small portion of my speech.”
Abu Zahar also admitted that LPPR does not have the power to investigate wrongdoings committed by MACC officials and can only act as an advisory body, adding this was already addressed by him.
“I have already mentioned previously that there is no intention to stop any full, independent probe by any government agencies on the allegations of wrongdoing against Azam.
“I believe none of the LPPR members intend to stop any further investigation. In fact, this is encouraged under the concept of rule of law, to ensure that the good name and integrity of the MACC is always at the highest level.” – The Vibes, January 11, 2022
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