WITH Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar coming out to defend to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, netizens took to social media to ridicule the former for shooting himself on the foot.
“Pakcik… Thank you for clarifying that it is in fact Saham Azam Baki. Bukan adik dia punya (not his brothers). RM330,000 is a lot of money for penjawat awam (public servant),” mocked user Rahah Ghazali.
Echoing Rahah’s sentiments, user House of Juruteri added:
(Recently, it was Azam’s brother’s shares, now it belongs to Azam, tomorrow it will belong to his grandfather)
Netizen Sunny responded:
(Weren’t the shares owned by his brother? Now you’re changing the story again? Why not wait for the investigation to complete before issuing a denial? Are you afraid that your secrets will get exposed too?
Last week, Azam said at a press conference that he saw no issue in him holding over one million ringgit in shares in public listed companies, despite Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993, which disallows civil servants having shares worth more than RM100,000.
He had claimed that his younger brother Nasir Baki had used his trading account to purchase some shares.
However, the defense backfired as it was later revealed that 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.
Disconnected with reality
Yesterday, Wan Junaidi defended Azam by saying that back in 2016 when the latter purchased the shares, it could have been valued at RM330,000, between 30 sen and 33 sen per share, and that the current share amount was accumulated over the years.
“Based on the initial price, it is not an expensive share to acquire. I believe it is affordable to many of us. For those who are active stock market traders, it is also normal to gradually increase your shareholding over time, especially when you see the potential,” Malaysiakini reported Wan Junaidi as saying, which contradicted Azam’s statement who said it was utilised by his brother.
Unamused with officials contradicting one another, user Jed Yazid urged Wan Junaidi stop trying to defend the indefensible.
(Don’t make too obvious with your cover up. You’re getting old)
Netizen Azman Rahman replied: “Day after day we are presented with proof of how disconnected these people are from the reality on the ground – their community walkabouts are not about connecting or understanding or serving constituents.” – Jan 9, 2022.
Photo credit: FMT
