Fahmi: Cabinet not yet informed on action against Azam over shares issue

Over a month after findings by an investigation committee tasked with probing MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki’s shareholding issue were tabled to the cabinet, Putrajaya has yet to be informed of any potential action against the nation’s top graft buster. 

Reiterating that the cabinet has decided to leave it to Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar to take any necessary action, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil also declined to disclose details on the committee’s findings.

“I cannot state the findings of the report as the process is still ongoing. Any action to be taken will be decided through the process involving the chief secretary to the government. 

“As for when we might receive more information, the chief secretary will report to the cabinet later, but not today,” Fahmi told a post-cabinet meeting press conference in Putrajaya today. 

He also affirmed that the matter was briefly discussed during the cabinet meeting earlier.

The communications minister said this in response to questions from a Bloomberg representative, who referenced rules in a civil service disciplinary circular, including how civil servants cannot buy more than RM100,000 worth of shares in a single company.

“If these rules are broken, can you discuss which considerations go into deciding whether that person is penalised? 

“I’m also wondering if breaking those rules is - or potentially can be - a fireable offence?” the representative from the international media agency queried.

READ MORE: PSD reviewing 'outdated' shareholdings rule after Azam scandal

In a March 31 statement, Shamsul said proceedings related to the probe on Azam’s share ownership had already been initiated under the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.

This, he said, came after the tabling of the investigation committee’s findings at a cabinet meeting on March 11.

Shamsul also denied a Bloomberg report which alleged that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had asked the committee to delay the disclosure of its findings related to Azam’s shareholdings.

On April 1, Fahmi said that Anwar and the cabinet are committed to disclosing investigations linked to the MACC chief, once both aspects are thoroughly probed.

Following reports by Bloomberg in February, Azam and the MACC have been at the centre of two separate probes: one on the nation’s top anti-graft officer’s share ownerships, and another on allegations of corporate manipulation.

MACC had previously denied allegations that its officers are involved in the “corporate mafia” scheme, dismissing such claims as baseless while alleging they are part of a smear campaign intended to undermine the agency’s reputation.

After protest, MACC deploys tactical squad to deter Azam hecklers at event

Tangkap Azam Baki roadshow barred from venue due to 'sensitive content'

Youth activists who disrupted Azam's speech at integrity forum released

DAP Youth: Expedite answers on Azam's shares, not arrest protesters

Group condemns 'unreasonable' arrests, detention of three youth activists

Mandiri's X account suspended after trio held for disrupting Azam's speech