PETALING JAYA: PAS says it is now up to authorities to scrutinise Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s explanation on his acquisition of shares in two companies in 2015 and take action if needed.
“PAS is confident that the authorities will scrutinise that statement and next, make a fair decision to all groups based on facts and the law,” said party secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan in a statement on Thursday (Jan 6) night.
At the same time, Takiyuddin said he hoped Azam’s explanation over the issue would stop parties from hurling accusations against the MACC chief commissioner, as it undermines Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s leadership.
“The burden of proof now lies on those who continue hurling accusations.
“They must prove that every allegation against the MACC chief commissioner has basis,” he said.
Takiyuddin also welcomed Azam’s explanation on the issue, saying that it was the right move to publicly answer to accusations hurled at him.
“It was the right move (Azam explanation) as it concerns MACC’s integrity as a national anti-graft agency.”
Speaking to The Star on Thursday (Jan 6), Azam said he would cooperate with the Securities Commission (SC) and expects to meet them next week.
On Wednesday (Jan 5), Azam said his brother had used his trading account to buy shares in the open market and financed the purchases himself.
It involved substantial amounts of shares 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 said he had initiated legal proceedings against anti-corruption activist Lalitha Kunaratnam for defamation.
Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) said the ACAB must explain its decision to clear Azam of wrongdoing over the purchase of the shares.