MP: How can Azam object to meeting Parliament oversight committee?
Opposition MPs on the bipartisan Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) overseeing Agencies in the Prime Minister’s Department insist MACC chief Azam Baki has no authority to refuse appearing before the committee.
They also want their meeting on Azam’s share ownership controversy to proceed.
This morning...
Opposition MPs on the bipartisan Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) overseeing Agencies in the Prime Minister’s Department insist MACC chief Azam Baki has no authority to refuse appearing before the committee.
They also want their meeting on Azam’s share ownership controversy to proceed.
This morning, Khoo Poay Tiong (Harapan-Kota Melaka) reiterated his regret that PSC chairperson Abdul Latiff Rahman (PAS-Kuala Krai) had postponed tomorrow’s meeting.
The postponement came after Azam - the subject of the investigation - objected to the “agenda” of PSC’s probe.
“Who is Azam to say he does not want to come? When Parliament asks you to come, you have to come,” Khoo said in an online press conference.
“Can Azam override Parliament now? [...] How can it be that Azam can say he doesn’t want to come, then we listen to him and then we postpone our meeting?
“We should insist and want Azam to come. By right, that should be the way. If Azam refuses, then subsequently we take action. We should proceed with our meeting,” he added.
Khoo provided a point-by-point rebuttal of Azam’s three objections.
Azam had objected to the PSC probe on grounds that the matter was in court as he is suing whistleblower Lalitha Kunaratnam over her articles about the share ownership controversy.
Khoo contended that the PSC had previously conducted probes into matters that were being argued in court.
Azam’s second argument was that the PSC was acting beyond its legal authority in probing him over his personal conduct.
To this, Khoo cited Section 83(2) of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders which states that a select committee has the power to call people plus report its observations to the House.
Azam’s third contention was that he was already being investigated by the Securities Commission and the MACC Complaints Committee.
Khoo argued that these probes did not prevent the PSC from looking into the same matter.
Meeting must go on
The DAP politician further disclosed that the decision to postpone the Jan 19 meeting was made mere “minutes” after PSC members were informed of Azam’s objections.
Khoo spoke today on behalf of himself, Chan Foong Hin (Harapan-Kota Kinabalu), William Leong (Harapan-Selayang) and Azis Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar).
During the press conference, Leong said they needed to discuss the terms of reference for their probe into the share ownership controversy.
“Even if Azam does not attend, we can discuss the terms of reference of our inquiry and which witnesses we want to call,” Leong proposed.
Chan thus echoed that the meeting should not be delayed.
“I urge our chairperson to reconsider this because the power to call for the meeting is in his hands.
“We should proceed with tomorrow’s meeting. If we keep delaying this, it will appear as if certain quarters are afraid to face us,” he remarked.
Azis was not present at today’s press conference.
Bad precedent
Meanwhile, Khoo cautioned that allowing Azam to object to the PSC’s subpoena would be setting a dangerous precedent.
“We can’t allow Azam to do this because he is setting a bad precedent, a bad example.
“In the future, people who are called by the PSC may try to use the same methods to avoid coming to Parliament.
“If this happens, how can Parliament function? The rules clearly state that whomever called must come forward,” he said.
Chan further noted that the PSC had issued Azam a notice to appear before the committee on Jan 11, one day before the top public official filed his defamation suit against Lalitha.
