AS the contract for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's chief ends in May - the question is should Tan Sri Azam Baki's term be extended or should he be replaced?
An issue being harped on by certain critics lobbying for a change in leadership is the allegation of him purchasing stock market shares in 2015.
This is an issue which has long been resolved, and the Securities Commission (SC) itself had cleared Azam following an independent inquiry which found no breach of trading laws.
Azam was confirmed to have operated the trading account — yes. But owning and operating a trading account isn’t illegal.
The crux of the allegation was whether he had violated civil service codes — not whether he committed a crime.
The SC found no evidence of wrongdoing under the Capital Markets and Services Act. Period.
On Jan 18, 2022, the SC issued a statement saying it could not conclusively find any breach of the act by Azam.
Azam back then had stressed that the allegations made against him were created by certain interested parties who wanted to use him to attack the MACC and ruin the commission’s image and his personal reputation.
These are cleared allegations and should not be treated as convictions.
There have been calls by certain spin doctors that Azam must go because 'his name was soiled'.
Soiled by whom? Activists with unproven claims? Politicians seeking headlines? Twitter mobs? Or just plain haters?
Would shouting a lie long enough makes it a truth? If that’s our new yardstick, then I am pretty sure many in power should never hold office again.
Under Azam's leadership MACC has charged dozens of civil servants, including high-ranking ones and investigated powerful political figures, including those from the ruling coalition without fear or favour.
What about the uncovering of RM177 million in unexplained cash — now linked to a former PM’s aide?
Let’s get this straight — a man who’s consistently delivered results should be removed because of an issue which has since been resolved 10 years ago?
When critics weaponise old headlines to write new hit jobs, Malaysia loses.
Not because Azam Baki is above criticism, but because the standard applied to him is not applied equally.
Maybe it’s not Azam who needs to reflect, but the bygones who repeatedly harp on non-issues.
Arif Rahman is a reader of The Vibes
