YESTERDAY, former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin attempted to steer clear from the controversy plaguing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), claiming he had acted according to procedure in appointing Tan Sri Azam Baki as its chief commissioner back in March 2020.
According to a report on The Malay Mail Online, Muhyiddin accused certain quarters of trying to implicate him in the ongoing issue.
“It is not me who appointed him but was certified by the committee led by the then chief secretary to the government who had proposed his name,” Muhyiddin was reported as saying.
The chief secretary then was Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, who is still serving today.
However, netizens were unimpressed with the former premier’s attempt to wash his hands away from the controversy as MACC’s chief commissioner is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who acts on the advice of the sitting prime minister.
Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said:
(Oh dear, why does it sound like he is trying to distance himself? It’s becoming like the popular Bangau oh Bangau song).
Bangau oh Bangau is a popular children song where each animal tries to pin the blame on others for the problems it was facing.
User AAR posted a press statement issued by Azam himself on March 9, following his appointment as MACC chief commissioner, where he had thanked Muhyiddin for proposing his name for the job to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Netizen Satu Bangs retorted:
“Kah3.. abahcow cuci tangan.. spesis politikus sampah,”
(Hahaha, Abahcow is trying to wash his hands of the problem. Very typical of a lowly politician).
Last week, Azam had defended himself on accusations that held millions of ringgit worth of shares in public listed companies back in 2015 and 2016, claiming it was used by his brother Nasir Baki.
The statement raised alarm at the Securities Commission (SC) as trading using another person’s account is in violation of the Section 25 of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991 (SICDA), where every securities account opened with a central depository must be in the name of the beneficial owner of the deposited securities or in the name of an authorised nominee.
Keep blaming others
As SC had launched a probe on Azam, ministers such as Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had come out to defend the former although an independent investigation had yet to be launched.
It is noted that Azam succeeded Latheefa Koya as MACC’s chief commissioner following the latter’s resignation after the infamous Sheraton Move, which collapsed the then-Pakatan Harapan Government.
On that note, other netizens poked fun at Muhyiddin’s attempt at trying to shy away from the controversy.
User kami Keadilan said:
(Soon enough, he will say Azam was appointed by either his friend, elder brother or his neighbour living next-door)
Netizen Zul remarked: “Azam Belen lantik diri sendiri la kut ye. (Maybe Azam had appointed himself). – Jan 11, 2022.
