DAP MP wants independent probe into Azam; PAC chief issues quit call

The revelations surrounding MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki's shareholdings are galvanising politicians on both sides of the aisle.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has called for an independent probe, while Public Accounts Committee chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has urged Azam (above) to resign and protect the MACC's image.

Azam is in the spotlight after Bloomberg and Malaysiakini separately revealed that he has shares in two publicly listed companies, exceeding the RM100,000 in shares per company limit imposed on civil servants.

Azam has denied wrongdoing, saying that he has declared his shareholdings with the Public Service Department. However, non-compliance with the RM100,000 limit has not yet been addressed.

In a statement today, Ramkarpal said the issues go beyond whether the MACC chief had declared his shares.

"There can be no doubt that (the shareholdings) must be further probed by an independent third party, as it is elementary that Azam cannot be the judge of his own cause.

"The issue here extends beyond asset declaration and strikes at the core of the integrity and transparency of the MACC," said the DAP lawmaker.

Ramkarpal said in the Velocity Capital Partner Berhad case, where Azam owns 17.7 million shares, there were also questions about whether the MACC chief knowingly purchased shares above the RM100,000 limit.

He also questioned why Azam bought and sold the Velocity Capital Partner shares within a year.

While it is not known how much Azam bought the shares for, the lowest that Velocity Capital Partner shares traded for last year was RM0.015 per unit, meaning the MACC chief's holdings could have been RM265,500 at the lowest.

‘Protect MACC’s credibility’

In a separate statement, Mas Ermieyati said any questions of non-compliance and conflict of interest by an MACC chief must not be taken lightly as the agency relies on public trust to carry out its duties.

As such, she said if Azam had breached the RM100,000 share purchase limit rule, he must resign as MACC chief to protect the commission’s credibility.

When asked whether PAC would launch its own investigation into Azam, Mas Ermieyati told Malaysiakini that she would wait to see how the government responds to the scandal first.

Besides Velocity Capital Partner, checks with the Companies Commission of Malaysia records found that as of Jan 13 this year, Azam had slightly over 4.52 million shares in Awanbiru Technology Berhad or a 1.08 percent stake.

The shares on Jan 13 were valued at RM0.305 per unit, meaning Azam's stake would have been worth almost RM1.38 million at the time.

Did Azam breach civil service rules? Guan Eng says PSD must answer

Azam has shares in another company worth over RM1m

PM vows no compromise if key bodies' integrity at risk, mum on Azam

Report sparks renewed calls for Azam's resignation, MACC reform

MP SPEAKS | Azam must learn from past controversies to protect public trust

MACC: Azam's shareholdings comply with disclosure rules

Initially defending Azam's shares, Kula later passes buck to chief secretary

Farhash denies business with Azam as Rafizi tries to draw link

Azam has shares exceeding civil service limits again, PM urged to act