THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission advisory board members (ACAB) jumped the gun when they distanced themselves from the statement made on Jan 5, claimed ACAB chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang.
“In my opinion, the media statement issued by the six ACAB members distancing themselves from me on Jan 5 is regrettable,” he said, at a press conference today.
On Jan 8, six members of the ACAB distanced themselves from their chairman’s decision to absolve chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki of any wrongdoing.
“MACC advisory board chairman Abu Zahar’s comments was entirely his own views.
“With that, we categorically state that the board members at the meeting or at any time did not express such opinion as Abu Zahar attributed to,” Free Malaysia Today reported them as saying in a joint statement.
Those who signed the statement were Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar, Tan Sri Ismail Omar, Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Datuk Hamzah Kassim, Datuk David Chua Kok Tee and Datuk Mohammad Agus Yusoff.
Explaining his side of the story, Abu Zahar detailed the chronology which resulted in his board members and himself having differences of opinion in regards to the allegations levelled at Azam.
“On Jan 8 (1.15pm), Azman sent a message via Whatsapp saying ‘the issue is getting hotter and hotter’”.
“At 6.22pm the same day, Chua responded by saying ‘LPPR (ACAB) need to meet and discuss this matter urgently and come up with a clear statement to state LPPR position by early next week. Keep silent is not an option’”.
“Later, Ismail texted by saying ‘“Yes we’re meeting on 11th Jan. Need to address relevant issues’”, said Abu Zahar.
With his panel members anxious, Abu Zahar stated that he had agreed to have a closed-door meeting on the matter with them on Jan 11 (10am) at the MACC Academy located in Jalan Duta.
“But I was taken aback after all six of the ACAB members decided to have a meeting on Jan 8 without informing me, issuing a statement to distance themselves from me,” he lamented.
Misquoted by the media?
Having said that, Abu Zahar said that he was willing to be investigated by any agencies on the matter and stressed that he had conducted himself professionally at all times.
“What is important to me is that the public continue to support the MACC so that it could combat corruption without fear and favour,” he mentioned.
Touching on Azam’s case, Abu Zahar alleged that the media had misquoted him during the press conference held on Jan 5, adding they only reported excerpts from his 13-page media statement.
He mentioned that the ACAB had issued several recommendations on how to deal with the scandal, which was not picked up by the media.
“In any case, I’m aware that ACAB has no power to conduct any investigation against MACC officers. We only have power to give views and recommendations on how a probe should be carried out, in line with Section 13 (5) (a) of Act 694, which was mentioned in page 6 of my press statement then.
“Nevertheless, I must say that we have never stopped any enforcement agencies or independent inquiry from conducting investigation on Azam, upon the advise and supervision of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC),” he quipped.
On his tenure as ACAB chair, Abu Zahar said that he would leave the matter at the hands of the Government and Istana Negara.
“As far as I’m concerned, I have never taken any side and have always conducted myself professionally,” he remarked. – Jan 11, 2022.
