BREAKING his silence, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob urged the public to give authorities the time and space needed to investigate allegations levelled against the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
According to Bernama, Ismail also denied that the Government was doing nothing on the matter.
Speaking to reporters after an event in Kota Marudu, Sabah, the premier said investigations were being carried out by various parties including the Securities Commission (SC) and MACC.
“I’m always being updated and am monitoring the issue. Action has been taken and the claims that the Government is keeping quiet is wrong.
“MACC is an independent body and it has its own ways of dealing with issues like this. There is no need for me to interfere.
“Let us wait for the investigations to be completed. We cannot jump to conclusions as if Azam is guilty. We need to be fair to everyone,” he said, adding action will be taken once investigations are completed.
Earlier today, the issue escalated after six members of the MACC advisory board distanced themselves from its chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, who had said few days back that he was satisfied with Azam’s explanation and there no wrongdoing on the latter’s part.
It is to note that while Abu Zahar insisted on Azam’s innocence, the Securities Commission is now probing the latter for violating Section 25 of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991 (SICDA).
On that note, Ismail guaranteed that the Government will not compromise with anyone who commits any misdeeds, while urging all parties to be consistent and fair to everyone.
“We must have confidence and trust in the system that we have. Let the MACC and SC investigate first. We have investigated a Penang chief minister before.
“We must be consistent and not have double standards,” the Bera MP stressed. – Jan 8, 2022
