PETALING JAYA: The Perlis Mufti has called for the leadership of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to be vetted and reshuffled following a statement by senior officials defending chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

       Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said a background check was necessary to ensure justice and transparency as the country grapples with the share trading issue linked to Azam.

       “Referring to the letter of support by MACC officers towards their boss, therefore, I would like to propose that the entire leadership of MACC be vetted, and if possible, reshuffle them.

       “How was it possible for them to make a preliminary decision that their boss is a political victim before investigations even commenced, and the denials by Azam previously do not make any sense,” Sinar Harian quoted Mohd Asri as saying.

       He also said the MACC senior officers should have been stricter on issues that could possibly undermine the anti-graft agency’s reputation.

       “It is a requirement for every Malaysian to rise up against corruption. Fighting graft is an important religious requirement,” said Mohd Asri.

       He also said religious figures and leaders must speak out on the controversy rather than speak about the “personal sins” of individuals.

       “Corruption is a sin that destroys the country, brings injustice and oppression to others,” he added.

       In a joint statement on Sunday (Jan 9), a group of senior MACC officers had defended Azam, saying that the allegations were purportedly motivated by “politics of revenge to tarnish the credibility of MACC”.

       The joint statement was made by deputy commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Norazlan Mohd Razali and deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Datuk Junipah Wandi.

       “The MACC remains united in defending the institution of the chief commissioner and MACC for the sake of the continuation of corruption prevention in our beloved country,” it said.

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

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

       Azam had said he informed his superiors about the transactions back in 2015 and that he did not have any interest in the acquired shares. The shares were later transferred to his brother's account.

       The same explanation was given to the MACC’s anti-corruption advisory board (ACAB), when he was summoned to explain the matter on Nov 24, Azam had said during a highly-anticipated press conference.

       Azam has maintained that he did not commit any wrongdoing.