AN anti-grant non-governmental organisation urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to address Edmund Terence Gomez’s abrupt resignation, adding the public is getting upset over unethical practices perpetuated by public institutions.
“Issues pertaining to conflict of interest involving MACC officials affects not only the agency but the political leadership and other public institutions.
“This is about collective accountability and conflict of interest is not a small matter as it can cause mismanagement and abuses of public institution,” said Rasuah Busters secretariat chief Nurhayati Nordin.
Yesterday, Gomez quit as MACC panel board member in protest over its inaction against MACC chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s alleged ownership of up to two million shares in a public listed company.
According to Malaysiakini, Gomez had first raised his concerns on Nov 12 to the MACC panel chief Datuk Seri Borhan Dolah, urging the latter to set up a meeting to discuss the “critical issue of national interest”.
Although Borhan had agreed to Gomez’s call, the meeting was never called, prompting the latter to write two more times to the former. In the subsequent letters, Gomez had apparently provided more details on Azam’s family’s links to several business enterprises.
As he received poor response from Borhan, Gomez wrote another letter on Dec 14 stating he would be forced to quit if the matter was left unaddressed.
On that note, Nurhayati urged the MACC to comment on the matter to address public concerns, and admit to mistakes if there are truths to Gomez’ claims.
She added that taking responsibility over one’s mistakes are also signs that a person or an organisation adheres to good governance and upholds integrity.
National Anti-Financial Crime Centre, where art thou?
“We are concerned that if an agency like the MACC comes under disrepute, the public will lose confidence on public institutions or worse, take matters into their own hands.
“Such a thing will disrupt the country’s harmony and tarnish Malaysia’s image,” Nurhayati stressed.
Echoing Nurhayati’s sentiments, Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) urged both the MACC and Cabinet to explain the delays in probing the serious allegation.
“In his resignation letter, Gomez had revealed that he attempted to bring this information to Borhan on three separate occasions, followed by MACC anti-corruption advisory board chairperson Tan Sri Abu Zahar but to no avail.
“These allegations must be investigated urgently and transparently, especially when it involves the image of the law enforcement agency entrusted to fight corruption.,” said its president Muhammad Mohan.
He added: “MACC isn’t short of independent panels and processes to investigate its officers for alleged offences.
“So, why delay in investigating the matter?”
On related matter, C4 Center executive director Cynthia Gabriel opined that it was best for the Government to abolish the panel altogether.
“The news is deeply alarming. It’s best if we abolish the panel and get the Government to restructure MACC’s functions to ensure the body remains independent.
“The National Anti-Financial Crime Centre (NAFCC) should form an independent probe into rising transgressions not only within the MACC but also the police,” she told FocusM. – Dec 28, 2021
Photo credit: The Edge Markets
