Cabinet should instruct MACC advisory board to probe Azam - MP
A PKR lawmaker has called for cabinet intervention after MACC statutory oversight bodies were slammed for inaction against MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s alleged ownership of close to two million shares in a public listed company.
Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa urged the cabinet to instruct the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR), one of the five oversight bodies under MACC, to conduct an investigation into the serious allegation surrounding the MACC senior officer...
A PKR lawmaker has called for cabinet intervention after MACC statutory oversight bodies were slammed for inaction against MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s alleged ownership of close to two million shares in a public listed company.
Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa (above, left) urged the cabinet to instruct the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR), one of the five oversight bodies under MACC, to conduct an investigation into the serious allegation surrounding the MACC senior officer.
"The cabinet has to intervene to save the reputation of the MACC," he told Malaysiakini.
Sivarasa added that a revamp of the oversight bodies' membership appeared necessary.
On Dec 27, Edmund Terence Gomez quit as a member of the MACC's Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel after it failed to discuss reports implicating Azam.
Gomez also wrote to MACC Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR) chairperson Abu Zahar Nika Ujang on three occasions, proposing that he attend the advisory board to present reports.
Set up under Section 13 of the MACC Act 2009, the LPPR is a panel responsible for advising the commission in terms of policies and operations.
Oversight bodies must act
Sivarasa said the incident has shown that the prevention of corruption is not just about setting up so-called oversight bodies under the law and then saying "we have done our job and these bodies will ensure the MACC’s integrity is intact".
"What is fundamental is whether the individuals in such oversight bodies have the integrity to do their jobs.
"In this case, there is a major institutional failure. The head of the MACC is facing serious allegations implying corrupt behaviour and the oversight bodies are failing to act.
"The wrong message is being sent by the MACC itself - that corrupt behaviour is acceptable," Sivarasa added.
Use select committees
The parliamentarian urged the Dewan Rakyat to play its role on this issue via its select committees.
"The relevant select committee can summon MACC officials, including members of the oversight panels, to ask why they did not act as suggested by Gomez," he said.
Sivarasa, who is also part of the Dewan Rakyat's Standing Order Committee, said opposition MPs have called on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to look into the matter.
"We will consider referring this matter to the select committee which has oversight over the institutions," he added.
He called on the police as well to open an investigation paper into the allegation.
Malaysiakini has also contacted Azam for comment on the allegations against him.
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