[UPDATED] Worsening MACC debacle warrants discussion in Parliament, says Rais

KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Rais Yatim has hinted at the need for the controversy surrounding Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki to be deliberated in Parliament.

Rais, who is chairman of the parliamentary special committee on corruption, said while the matter was rejected by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun last December, it has become a larger issue.

“We cannot make any assumption about the Dewan Rakyat speaker’s decision then," he said during the Agenda Awani programme tonight.

“However, after this issue has surfaced for quite some time, there must be some perspective to it – if the public perception towards MACC has deteriorated to the point that the public is questioning justice and MACC’s abilities, then this is a huge catastrophe to the country.

“This is the biggest question we must think about. Of course, there will be some reluctance to do this, because the respective quarters may have some history and friendship, but law is law. The rule of law must be upheld.”

On December 14, Sg Buloh MP Sivarasa Rasiah filed an urgent motion seeking the Dewan Rakyat to discuss Azam’s alleged ownership of publicly traded stocks, but it was not entertained. 

Matters were aggravated after economist Prof Edmund Terence Gomez stepped down as member of the MACC’s Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel, citing failure to discuss accusations of conflict of interest against Azam. 

Since then, there have been mounting calls from various quarters for a full investigation and even a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Azam and for the chief of the anti-graft body to be removed from his position. 

Azam, however, has maintained his innocence, saying the millions of ringgit worth of shares purchased were done by his brother under his name. 

It is an offence for a public servant to purchase shares amounting more than RM100,000. Existing law also stipulates that it is wrong for anyone to buy shares under a different person’s name.

On Azhar’s decision not to allow for a debate in Parliament pertaining to the matter last month, Rais said the former may have felt that the ongoing debate on the 2022 Budget was a more pressing issue then and is of public importance. 

“The speaker certainly has certain facts in his mind on why he made his decision. For example, the budget is extremely crucial. 

“And under Standing Order 18 of the Dewan Rakyat, we have this provision that touches on matters of urgent public importance. I believe the speaker must have made his consideration then.” – The Vibes, January 14, 2022