KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR) was only involved to seek clarification from Tan Sri Azam Baki over allegations of his ownership of around two million shares in a publicly listed company.
In a report by New Straits Times, LPPR chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang was quoted as saying that the advisory board has no authority to vindicate the MACC chief commissioner.
As the anti-graft agency was being portrayed in a bad light, Abu Zahar said Azam was called by the board’s panel on November 24 to provide an explanation of all allegations against him regarding the shares he purportedly owned.
He told the English daily yesterday that LPPR only wanted to get to the bottom of the issue, saying: “We want to know the real facts and circumstances, and not to clear his name.”
LPPR has stressed that we will not compromise or protect anyone among MACC officers who commit legal offences, especially corruption and abuse of power.”
In a special press conference on Wednesday, Abu Zahar said LPPR was satisfied by the explanation given by Azam and found no criminal elements involving him or conflict of interest.
According to Abu Zahar, Azam had said the purchase of millions of ringgit of shares of a public listed company supposedly bought by him was actually done by his brother, Nasir Baki, using his share-trading account.
However, Abu Zahar said Azam had no vested interest in the shares and does not own any of them.
“The shares were also bought in an open market, meaning that it did not breach any law. The shares were later transferred to Nasir.
“We are satisfied by Azam’s explanation. But if there is any new evidence, we will consider investigating,” he had said.
Calls for Azam to be investigated have grown louder over the past days following his and Abu Zahar’s anticlimactic press conference.
This comes after Azam had claimed innocence during a press conference, saying the allegations against him were lies and a means of tarnishing his reputation.
Opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan had called for an independent probe into Abu Zahar and Azam to find out the truth, while urging for both to be put on leave pending completion of the investigations.
In Parliament, a special motion looking to debate Azam’s issue and allegations was filed by Amanah’s Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, with several other lawmakers also expressing their doubts towards the chief commissioner.
Additionally, the Securities Commission has said it would call in all parties involved in the episode to seek an explanation of what had transpired.
However, Azam had served a Letter of Demand to investigative journalist Lalitha Kunaratnam, whose reports alleging his abuses were first published by the Independent News Service. – The Vibes, January 8, 2022
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