Explain or resign: PKR info chief lambasts Abu Zahar following LPPR members’ collective stance

KUALA LUMPUR – Calls are getting louder for Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR) chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang to resign after six board members moved to distance themselves from his statements made on Wednesday.

PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said the revelation by six LPPR members has further complicated matters and gambled away Malaysia’s global reputation.

“Our international image collapsed when the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and LPPR chairman were indifferent towards wrongdoings involving conflict of interests that possibly violated laws of the country,” he said in a statement today.

He also called for Abu Zahar to explain why he took a position to defend MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki while ignoring the proposals from LPPR members that are “more rational”.

Should Abu Zahar fail to provide an explanation, Shamsul said he needs to step down as chairman.

He reminded Abu Zahar that given his position, it is of importance that he speaks the truth and places the country first before self-interests.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s response to the debacle did not escape Shamsul’s notice as he called for a royal commission of inquiry to look into the scandal with the hopes of saving MACC’s battered reputation.

“Without independent investigations, investors will lack confidence to invest in Malaysia, given the country’s laws appear to protect a specific class of individuals.”

Earlier today, six members of the LPPR denied that they cleared Azam of allegations of conflict of interest due to the purchase of shares using his trading account.

Despite Abu Zahar’s assertion to the press on Wednesday that the LPPR was satisfied with Azam’s explanation, the six members thought otherwise.

Instead, they recommended that the matter be referred to an independent committee, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption and MACC’s complaints panel.

However, these proposals were not brought up at Abu Zahar’s press conference, they said. – The Vibes, January 8, 2022