The Malaysian Insight

IT is unclear why some cabinet members are eager to clear Azam Baki of any wrongdoing before an impartial investigation is made into allegations surrounding the latter, said P. Ramasamy today.

His comment comes after Energy and Natural Resources Minister Takiyuddin Hassan said Azam has done enough to clear his name and Law Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said there is no law or regulation that prohibits civil servants from acquiring shares in public-listed companies.

“Did Azam have a special relationship with some ministers, particularly Takiyuddin and Wan Junaidi?

“Did the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in general and Azam in particular do any special favour for them?

“Why are they so keen to let him off the hook even before a full and impartial investigation can commence?”

The DAP leader said the way some ministers are coming forward to protect the MACC chief commissioner indicates that the latter might have done something wrong.

Sungai Buloh MP R. Sivarasa raised the issue of Azam’s ownership of corporate shares in Parliament on December 14.

He questioned whether the chief commissioner declared the alleged 2.15 million shares owned in Excel Force MSC Bhd in 2015, as well as 1.93 million shares in Gets Global Bhd the same year and 1.02 million shares the following year.

The MACC Anti-Corruption Advisory Board has, however, cleared Azam of any wrongdoing following an explanation that it was Azam’s brother who bought the shares using Azam’s trading account.

Board chairman Abu Zahar Ujang said the shares were then transferred to the brother and, as such, there was no conflict of interest.

Though PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin is satisfied with Azam’s explanation, party Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari called for an independent investigation.

The Penang Deputy Chief Minister II said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob must set up a panel to determine whether Azam is in the clear.

“Will the hibernating prime minister act fast on the issue?

“He must come to grips with the reality that Malaysia is anything but a ‘happy family’.

“The floods will subside even without a government. But in the case of corruption or rampant corruption, there is a terrible need for government or authority.” – January 10, 2022.