Topics: MACC Independence, Political Corruption & Conflict of Interest, Good Governance & Anti-Corruption
Related news: https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/51591/macc-advisory-board-members-statement-clearest-evidence-of-abu-zahars-possible-cover-up-c4-center
Coverage by: The Vibes
The press conference at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya on Wednesday has turned out to be an ongoing nightmare for Anti-Corruption Commission Advisory Board (LPPR) chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang.
Now that the board members have turned their backs on Abu Zahar, Center to Combat Cronyism and Corruption (C4 Center) is accusing him of possibly covering up the debacle involving MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki and allegations of share ownership.
C4 Center executive director Cynthia Gabriel slammed Anti-Corruption Commission Advisory Board (LPPR) chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, accusing him of performing a possible cover-up and calling for him to be investigated as well.
This is the clearest evidence yet of a possible cover-up by Abu Zahar, and he must provide an explanation. We also call for him to be investigated as well,” she told The Vibes.
Just two days ago, Gabriel urged Azam to explain the source of money involved in the share purchase, adding that MACC is facing a crisis of confidence following the scrutiny of the chief commissioner’s pecuniary interest.
Azam was listed as a shareholder of Gets Global Berhad as at April 30, 2015, where he held 1.9 million shares; as well as 1.029 million shares as of March 31, 2016.
He also held 2.15 million warrants in Excel Force MSC Berhad from March 2016.
There are several unanswered questions. He said he had declared the ownership to a superior, but we don’t know who the superior is and what the explanation was. The source of the money needs to be ascertained, too,” she had said.
Today, six LPPR members said they had proposed for the debacle to be referred to an independent committee, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption and MACC’s complaints panel.
However, during a press conference on Wednesday, Abu Zahar instead told the press that the LPPR was satisfied with the explanation given by Azam and found no criminal wrongdoings or conflict of interest.
According to Abu Zahar, Azam said the purchase of millions of ringgit of shares of a publicly listed company was actually done by his brother, using his share-trading account.
However, the six LPPR members comprising Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar, Datuk Hamzah Kassim, Datuk David Chua Kok Tee and Prof Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff said that it was merely Abu Zahar’s opinion and not theirs.
Yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said that police will look into the allegations hurled at Azam.
This came after Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and other opposition MPs filed a police report against Azam after the latter’s admission that his securities accounts were used by his younger brother.
Previously, the Securities Commission also said it will be calling in Azam to provide further explanation and to verify statements made over the matter.
