EMBATTLED Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki today received support from his subordinates.
“We at the MACC offer our support to Azam’s leadership. We believe the attacks levelled against him are politically motivated to tarnish our agency’s reputation.
“Hence, we urge all quarters to stop the attacks and let an independent investigation sort out this matter with full transparency and fairness,” its three deputy commissioners said, in a joint statement.
The statement was signed by deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Seri Norazlan Mohd Razali and deputy chief commissioner (Management and Professionalism) Datuk Junipah Wandi.
Azam is now under immense scrutiny by both sides of the political divide as it was found that he held shares worth over one million ringgit in public listed companies, between 2015 and 2016, which was in breach of Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.
He has since defended himself saying that his younger brother Nasir Baki had used his trading account to purchase some shares.
However, the defence prompted the Securities Commission (SC) launch an investigation against him as trading using another person’s account was in violation of the Section 25 of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991 (SICDA), where every securities account opened with a central depository must be in the name of the beneficial owner of the deposited securities or in the name of an authorised nominee.
If found guilty, Azam could face a fine not exceeding RM2 mil, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or, both.
The issue escalated after MACC advisory panel board (ACAB) chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang was “disowned” by his own members, who claimed that the former’s defence of Azam was his personal view and did not represent the team.
On that note, the three deputy commissioners remarked: “MACC officials will stand firm to defend the chief commissioners and the agency so that we can continue to fight corruption in our beloved country.” – Jan 9, 2022.
Photo credit: Malaysiakini
