Topics: MACC Independence, Political Corruption & Conflict of Interest, Good Governance & Anti-Corruption
Related news: https://www.malaysiakini.com/newsletter/606276
Coverage by: MalaysiaKini
MACC’s credibility crisis
The controversy involving MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s share ownership in two public-listed firms has blown up into a credibility crisis for both the graft buster and the government.
The saga has seen a string of contradictions. MACC Anti-Corruption Advisory Board chairperson Abu Zahar Ujang, who led the charge to “clear” Azam, ended up in hot water himself after six other members of the committee disputed him.
The MACC leadership also came out in defence of Azam, declaring the allegations against him to be “politically motivated”, even though Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob already said an investigation will be conducted.
Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin criticised them for defending Azam even before an investigation is concluded and called for the entire MACC leadership to be reviewed.
The opposition has also complained that government members in the Parliamentary Special Select Committee for Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department were trying to block an investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, de facto Law Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar also defended Azam, claiming his share of around a million units in Gets Global Berhad (previously KBES Berhad) is only worth around RM330,000 which he described as “affordable”.
However, Azam has not admitted to being the beneficial owner of the stocks, claiming that his brother had bought them in his name.
According to whistleblower reports, Azam had 1,930,000 shares in Gets Global Berhad on April 30, 2015 worth around RM772,000 at the time. His shareholding went down to 1,029,500 as of March 31, 2016, worth around RM340,000 at the time.
A defiant Azam vowed to fight the allegations against him and refused to go on leave.
Whistleblower speaks up
Whistleblower K Lalitha, who wrote about Azam’s share ownership, spoke up through her lawyer and stood by her reports which Azam has threatened with an RM10 million lawsuit.
Her lawyer also criticised the MACC for lodging a police report against her and trying to get cops to probe her, calling it misplaced as even the prime minister announced an investigation into Azam.
Graft watchdog Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) also lambasted the MACC for going after whistleblowers when it should be protecting them.
Both MCA and DAP have offered their legal services to help Lalitha against Azam’s lawsuit.
