Wasn’t me – Muhyiddin passes the buck on Azam Baki appointment
Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has reportedly denied appointing MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki to his post in 2020 after questions were raised regarding due diligence checks prior to the appointment.
According to the report by Astro Awani, Muhyiddin told reporters today that it was Government Chief Secretary Mohd Zuki Ali who had nominated Azam, and the appointment was made after the nomination received royal assent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Yes, he was appointed during my time (as prime minister) when a vacancy occurred after the previous chief commissioner stepped down...
Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin has reportedly denied appointing MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki to his post in 2020 after questions were raised regarding due diligence checks prior to the appointment.
According to the report by Astro Awani, Muhyiddin told reporters today that it was Government Chief Secretary Mohd Zuki Ali who had nominated Azam, and the appointment was made after the nomination received royal assent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Yes, he was appointed during my time (as prime minister) when a vacancy occurred after the previous chief commissioner stepped down and a replacement is needed.
“It wasn’t me who made the appointment. After being assented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the appointment process was done in an orderly manner in accordance with the regulations.
“The appointment needs to be confirmed by a committee. The chief secretary nominates the name. It wasn’t me who chooses; the chief secretary proposes because he thinks he (Azam) is fit for the post,” he was quoted as saying at a press conference in Putrajaya after chairing a National Recovery Council meeting.
He reportedly said the procedure is applicable to any appointment in the government.
The statement apparently contradicts Azam’s press release on March 9, 2020, following his appointment.
In the statement, Azam thanked Muhyiddin for proposing his appointment to the king, and to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for assenting to the appointment.
Muhyiddin’s statement was made in response to Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said, who yesterday questioned whether Muhyiddin had checked Azam's background before advising his appointment.
Azalina's reported comments came amid intense scrutiny on Azam's shareholding scandal after he admitted that his younger brother Nasir had used his trading account to acquire over two million shares and warrants in two companies in 2015 and 2016.
Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) chairperson Abu Zahar Ujang had cleared Azam of all wrongdoings, but other ACAB members later claimed the view was a personal opinion.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin’s former principal private secretary Marzuki Mohamad said the question of whether the ex-premier had conducted a background check on Azam is irrelevant.
This is because Azam was already the MACC deputy chief commissioner prior to his appointment, and is bound by rules and procedures under the civil service.
