Azam: Critics free to protest my contract extension

Summary

• Azam Baki says he is aware of his unpopularity, and his critics are free to express their opposition towards his contract extension as MACC chief commissioner.

• The MACC chief says Pamela Ling, who was abducted en route to MACC to assist in an investigation, was a witness in the case and not a suspect, as speculated.

MACC chief Azam Baki appeared unfazed by another round of protests being planned against him.

He told a press conference at the commission’s headquarters in Putrajaya that he is aware of his unpopularity and critics are free to express their opinions.

“It’s up to them. I know that people do not like me. Terpulanglah (it’s up to them).

“This is a free country,” he said earlier today.

Azam was asked to comment on a rally planned for this Saturday in Kuala Lumpur to protest his contract extension.

The protest organiser, Sekretariat Undur Azam Baki (Step Down Azam Baki Secretariat), said it is aimed at voicing the public’s displeasure over Azam’s extended tenure.

‘Ling was a witness’

During the conference, Azam also clarified the issues surrounding the MACC investigation involving Pamela Ling, who was abducted on April 9 when she was on her way to the agency’s headquarters for further questioning.

Azam said Ling was never wanted by MACC as a suspect, adding that she was a witness in a case under their investigation.

Ling was arrested by MACC in January only because she failed to comply when summoned for a statement recording, Azam stressed.

“I never said she is a suspect. I just mentioned she is a subject in the case where she failed to comply with the order to attend.

“So, in this case, she is a witness to facilitate the investigation. We never called her for any arrest.”

Azam, however, declined to reveal details on the investigation that Ling was assisting.

On May 2, Ling’s family revealed that the 42-year-old, who is a Datin Seri, was on her way to meet MACC investigators on April 9, where she was supposed to facilitate a money laundering investigation, but was abducted before she could reach her destination.

Her Grab driver on that day claimed that individuals wearing police uniforms stopped his vehicle, forced Ling to exit and told him to mark the ride as “completed”.

MACC has since denied any elements of harassment or misconduct in handling Ling’s case, emphasising that it has acted within the legal framework at every stage.

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