THE stock trading fiasco issue involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki could potentially breed an unprecedented level of mistrust which pits “the authority” at one corner and “the people” on another.
If not swiftly addressed, its impact can be so severe that it may not only dictate the outcome of the general election (GE15) but what is more worrisome is the long-term tattered image of a failed civil service, where ordinary citizens feel betrayed by law enforcers.
The degree of disgust expressed by netizens on social media platforms bears the depth of a towering inferno as “the authority” remains defensive, seemingly adamant that Azam has not done anything wrong.
As netizens expect action from relevant stakeholders whether within the realm of the crisis-hit graft buster unit or the powers that be, perhaps there is a need to take a step back to consider that the MACC advisory board is guided by its own term of reference which does not grant it power to conduct an internal investigation.
This is despite the six board members having distanced themselves from the statement made by the board’s chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang, deeming comments made by the latter as merely his personal view.
The idea to moot a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) would seem a brilliant idea on the outset but could netizens a.k.a “the people” stomach an outcome whereby the findings are favourable to Azam?
Perhaps at this juncture where tempers flare and everyone is so emotionally-charged, we should take a step back and tell ourselves that we should not allow one individual to cloud our judgment on the greater good of MACC as a Government agency that combats corruption in the public and private sectors.
An opportunity to overhaul the agency
Even as the head of the fish rotten, in reality, the rot need not occur head down – there are still many diligent, honest and law abiding graft busters within the MACC rank and file.
With or without benefit of doubt, MACC has generally fulfilled its duty in combating corruption and related wrongdoings as evident in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) fund scandal which culminated in a 12-year jail sentence and a RM210 mil fine on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Even as MACC’s image “has been tarnished beyond repair” as some netizens claim, this crisis could be a blessing in disguise to overhaul the agency ‘top down’ – particularly by ensuring that favouritism and politics do not rear their ugly heads in the selection process of its top brass. – Jan 11, 2022.
