KUALA LUMPUR – A special press conference by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to clear its name amid worsening public perception did anything but.
From barring certain media entry to disregarding the need for an independent probe into allegations of improprieties, the presser yesterday did not do the anti-graft body any favours.
From the get-go, the handling of the press conference was a complete disaster.
Several journalists who arrived for the event were greeted with a “no entry” message by MACC personnel at the front gate, who said only 40 “registered” practitioners had been given the clearance to do coverage at MACC’s main auditorium, which could fit 300 people (or 150, if social distancing is taken into account).
The Vibes was among those initially barred entry, alongside others, including from Malay Mail, The Malaysian Insight and Malaysia Gazette, who all knew nothing about the requirement to register.
An MACC officer, when contacted, informed that the top management had already decided which media organisations were allowed into the conference, in the name of public health measures.
Asked if a Zoom link would be provided then for others who cannot enter, he said the management had also decided against it.
It was not until LPPR member Datuk Seri Azman Ujang was notified of the matter that several media members were finally allowed entry, although many others were still barred.
Asked by a journalist during the conference, Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang maintained that MACC wanted to abide by the government’s public health measures by limiting the number of attendees, and said the decision not to do a hybrid presser was because he felt it was best that the issue at hand be addressed face-to-face.
But “the best” was far from it. Several remarks made by MACC’s top guns yesterday had raised quite some eyebrows.
For one, Abu Zahar said MACC decided not to pursue further probe or action into allegations against its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki on the sole merit that LPPR, which he chairs, was satisfied by the latter’s explanation based on one meeting they had on November 24.
This is pertaining to the purchase of millions of ringgits of shares, which Abu Zahar explained was actually done by Azam’s brother under his name.
How a single meeting involving just MACC advisers and its chief commissioner could have convinced the anti-graft body of Azam’s innocence and ignored the need for further investigations boggles the mind.
Abu Zahar even downplayed the necessity for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be set up, saying the public should be reasonable and not moot such an idea, and that the issue being raised against MACC is a “very simple matter”.
Some of Azam’s own remarks yesterday were similarly baffling and bordering on arrogance.
He had said that there is no need for him to provide any explanation to any parties pertaining to allegations made against him, and that he is only answerable to LPPR.
The fact that Azam, a civil servant leading a government agency that is supposed to be the most accountable body in the country, could have even suggested as much speaks volumes about him and his commission.
Yesterday’s press conference was supposed to finally quell all bad publicity that MACC has had to endure in the past couple of months, but rather, it has laid bare the incompetence and perceived lack of integrity that the public has now come to expect.
But if the very body that is supposed to ensure integrity and transparency is upheld cannot be relied on, then who can Malaysians turn to? – The Vibes, January 6, 2022
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