PETALING JAYA: The authorities have been urged to leave whistleblowers alone and instead focus on thoroughly investigating the share trading controversy involving Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, says a group of 21 Opposition MPs.

       In a joint statement, the group said the authorities should look into the allegations instead of accepting Azam's side of the matter without weighing all the evidence.

       "The government should cooperate with whistleblowers who have released evidence and acknowledge their contributions instead of treating them like wrongdoers," the group said Thursday (Jan 13).

       Among them are R. Sivarasa (PH-Sungai Buloh), Maria Chin Abdullah (PH-Petaling Jaya), Dr Maszlee Malik (PH-Simpang Renggam) and Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Pejuang-Jerlun).

       On Wednesday (Jan 12), Azam made good on his threat to sue whistleblower Lalitha Kunaratnam and filed a defamation claim at the Kuala Lumpur High Court against the anti-graft activist.

       The suit was filed through legal firm Messrs Zain Megat and Murad on Tuesday (Jan 11), with Azam demanding that Lalitha issue a public apology and pay RM10mil in damages for tarnishing his reputation, among others.

       Allegations recently surfaced that Azam owned a substantial number of shares in Gets Global Bhd as well as Excel Force MSC Bhd between 2015 and 2016 when he was the MACC director of investigations.

       Azam maintained that he did not commit any wrongdoing and was prepared to face any investigations if the need arose.

       The group also believed that Azam should take a leave of absence or be suspended to allow for an independent and transparent investigation.

       "We fully support the Pakatan presidential council’s call to the government to immediately suspend Azam so there can be investigations without fear or favour," it said.

       They also asked for the matter to be deliberated in Parliament.

       "Instead of having a one-day special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat just on flood issues, the government should extend it to (include) the allegations against Azam and other corruption issues as these are urgent national (matters)," it said.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced earlier that a special sitting of the 4th Session of the 14th Parliament will be held on Jan 20 for the government to explain its actions and plans to tackle the flood issue to the people.