PENANG deputy chief minister II Prof Dr P Ramasamy slammed PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for asking the Government to put to rest the suspicions against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Takiyuddin on Thursday (Jan 6) had welcomed Azam’s explanation on his stock trading scandal, alleging that the accusations aimed at the latter were intended to destabilise the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He also said that since Azam had explained that his trading account was used by his brother to acquire shares in two companies in 2015, it serves no purpose to let the matter drag on any further.
“Takiyuddin’s view is not in congruence with that of PAS Youth leader Ahmad Fadhli Shaari who had called for Azam to step aside to make way for investigations to take place,” Ramasamy commented.
“Takiyuddin’s opinion is reflective of the PAS national leaders’ stand on the embattled Azam but why they would not want an impartial investigation into the allegations against Azam remains to be seen.”
Ramasamy noted that PAS aside, there were others especially in the top echelons of the Government who wanted Azam to be rescued.
“Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar went as far as to defend the practice of public servants trading in the share market on grounds of legality but whether such a practice is in line with the general orders of public service remains in doubt,” he noted.
“The question is, why are ministers so keen on protecting Azam from being investigated? It’s not as if Azam is about to get the axe.
“Why were they so keen to let Azam off the hook even before a full and impartial investigation could be launched?”
Ramasamy went on to suggest that the way some ministers were quick to come to Azam’s defence was because the latter “might have done something wrong”.
“There is utmost urgency for an investigation panel to be set up to ascertain whether or not Azam is guilty of the allegations.
“Will the hibernating Prime Minister act fast on this matter? He really must come to grips with the reality that Malaysia is anything but a ‘happy family’,” he remarked. – Jan 10, 2022
