SUCH is the firmness of Malaysia’s top graft buster Tan Sri Azam Baki whose stint as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) chief commissioner has been extended one more year with effect from tomorrow (May 12).
“I’m okay with it. I think there are those who don’t like me or they want me out of the system. You don’t like me, it’s not my problem,” he told the New Straits Times in an exclusive interview.
Azam was first appointed as MACC chief commissioner on March 9, 2020 to replace Latheefa Beebi Koya.
Prior to that, he served as the MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) for four years from 2016, in addition to holding the positions of director of intelligence and director of investigation division.
Asked for an update into the MACC’s probe into former finance minister Tun Dr Daim Zainuddin and the others named in the Pandora Papers, Azam said there are so many names mentioned “but we will focus on politically exposed persons”.
“It is on-going,” he revealed. “We will investigate those who have committed offences against the law, especially those who held power during that time, and will suggest to the public prosecutor on charges. There are other agencies conducting investigations as well such as the police, IRB (Inland Revenue Board) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).”
With regard to the Jana Wibawa scandal in which former premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was one of those implicated suspects, Azam replied: “For me, it’s done. We have charged them. If there is anything else, then it is for the Finance Ministry to look into.”
On whether the country should accept a settlement from fugitive Low Taek Jho @ Jho Low Azam said the Attorney-General (AG) has previously rejected his offer.
“I too disagree (with the settlement). I think the damage he has done to this country is too much. We are still looking for him. We don’t know his whereabouts. He has also probably changed his looks.”
Asked for updates on the recovery of funds stolen from 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal, Azam said the process is ongoing.
“We still have much to recover worldwide, especially in Switzerland. We have retrieved about RM29 bil but we are in a deficit of about 30% (from a total of RM42 bil),” he added. – May 11, 2023
