THE double standards of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in pursuing UMNO president Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi for receiving corruption funds but not taking action against other ex-UMNO leaders who defected to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), is an additional reason for Tan Sri Azam Baki to resign as MACC chief commissioner.
MACC is reviewing investigation papers on the alleged misappropriation of funds by a minister and two deputy ministers, not on MACC’s own initiative, but after Zahid exposed it in court.
In a recent parliamentary written reply, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh that MACC was “looking into this issue” after reports were lodged with MACC alleging misappropriation of UMNO party funds worth tens of millions of ringgit.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Wan Junaidi’s deputy Mas Ermieyati Samsuddin and deputy health minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali were implicated.
In June, Zahid testified during his corruption trial in court that three UMNO MPs, Jeli (Mustapa), Masjid Tanah (Mas Ermieyati) and Bagan Serai (Noor Azmi), left the party and hopped over to PPBM after the 14th General Election (GE14) “out of fear” they would be investigated by MACC.
Zahid also claimed in court that Mustapa, who was also the then-Kelantan UMNO chief, had taken more than RM30 mil that was supposed to be used to bring home Kelantan residents from the Klang Valley to vote in the state. However, this was allegedly not done.
Zahid also said Mas had been entrusted with funds to manage Puteri UMNO in GE14 but claimed it was transferred to another account, allegedly for her personal use.
Noor Azmi’s brother, on the other hand, allegedly misappropriated funds meant for development in Bagan Serai.
This raises the question of double standards by MACC as to why Zahid was investigated and charged but not the minister and two deputy ministers.
“Four glaring instances”
Azam should have resigned for failing to uphold the highest standards of integrity, independence and professionalism of MACC, as evidenced by Azam’s misconduct in four glaring instances.
First, for questioning the veracity, credibility and reliability of Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which is accepted by all countries globally and multilateral institutions such as the United Nations (UN), World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Two, for shamelessly lying that his shares’ trading account was operated through his brother by proxy merely to cover up Azam’s unexplained wealth and extraordinary shares trading involving millions of ringgit.
Three, because MACC found no evidence of abuse of power in its investigation against former Prasarana non-executive chairperson and UMNO MP Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman over alleged abuses of power during his tenure in Prasarana, even though MACC had already arrested him in May 2021.
Four, for allowing MACC to be used as a political weapon for the benefit of the Government by only acting against opposition MPs and stopping such action when they defected to support the former prime minister. – Aug 6, 2022
Lim Guan Eng is DAP national chairman, Bagan MP and a former finance minister.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Pic credit: The Star
