PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang should be investigated by an independent body and he must go on leave as Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) chairman until the probe against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki is completed, says the Pakatan Harapan’s presidential council.

       The presidential council accused Abu Zahar of failing to carry out his duties as ACAB chairman, following his recent remarks on the controversy involving Azam.

       “We urge Abu Zahar to be investigated by an independent body and given leave while investigations are ongoing,” they said.

       They also claimed that Abu Zahar’s statement was unacceptable as Azam’s remarks had shown that the law may have been broken and there was a conflict of interest involved.

       “This involves Section 25(4) of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991, where one may be fined up to RM3mil or jailed 10 years, if found guilty,” the presidential council said in a statement on Friday (Jan 7).

       The Pakatan presidential council comprises PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Upko president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau.

       In a press conference on Wednesday (Jan 5), Abu Zahar told reporters that there was no conflict of interest on Azam’s part as MACC chief over the issue of acquiring shares in two companies in 2015.

       He said this was because the MACC chief commissioner did not purchase the shares himself as this was done by Nasir Baki, his younger brother.

       Abu Zahar said the ACAB had called for a meeting on Nov 24 last year and had summoned Azam to explain the allegations.

       He said after a lengthy discussion, ACAB members were satisfied and were of the opinion that Azam did not have any pecuniary interest in the said shares.

       The Pakatan presidential council chided Abu Zahar for his remarks, claiming that it came about despite a lack of open and thorough investigations into the issue.

       “This involves allegations of the acquisition of shares involving millions of ringgit in companies listed in Bursa Malaysia,” it added.

       The council also said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob must not keep quiet over the matter and a special parliamentary meeting must be called to discuss it.

       “He (Ismail Sabri) must explain how the administration and management of MACC has been corrupted with recent cases that tarnish the agency’s reputation.”

       On Thursday (Jan 6), Azam said he would cooperate with the SC over the matter and expected to meet next week.

       Speaking about the issue on Wednesday (Jan 5), Azam said his brother had used his trading account to buy shares in the open market and financed the purchases on his own.

       It involved substantial amounts of shares bought from Gets Global Bhd and Excel Force MSC Bhd between 2015 and 2016 when Azam was the MACC director of investigations.

       Azam said the same explanation was given to the MACC’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) after he was summoned to explain the matter on Nov 24.

       Azam also maintained that he did not commit any wrongdoing, adding that action will be taken against those who tarnish his reputation and that of the MACC.