Advisory board urged to explain decision to clear Azam Baki of wrongdoing after only 'single meeting'

PETALING JAYA: The Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (Acab) has been urged to explain its decision to clear Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki of wrongdoing in the purchase of shares after just "a single meeting", without even conducting a thorough investigation.

The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) said if the decision to absolve Azam can be made merely based on the explanation given by him, then Acab has not carried out its duties properly.

"This is not an exemplary move by an organisation that is the primary body tasked to oversee the MACC.

"While we welcome the fact that Acab finally responded to public calls for action by holding a special meeting on Nov 24, 2021, we are concerned with the fact that the decision made to absolve the MACC chief commissioner was based on a single meeting, without a thorough investigation," said Ideas in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 5).

Ideas called upon Acab to elaborate upon the process through which this conclusion was reached.

The think tank said it is also important for the body to disclose which government policy or code of conduct they relied on in clearing Azam of any wrongdoing.

"More importantly, Acab should explain to the public whether Azam has satisfied the criteria on asset declaration based on the government circular titled ‘Surat Pekeliling Perkhidmatan 2 Tahun 2002 (Pemilikan dan Perisytiharan Harta oleh Pegawai Awam)’, which requires civil servants to declare their assets," said Ideas.

Its chief executive officer Tricia Yeoh said the absence of a comprehensive explanation as to how the decision was made and done transparently will erode the public’s trust in MACC as a critical institution for combating corruption in the country.

"We view such an explanation as critical to maintaining MACC’s credibility as an independent institution that can effectively combat corruption in Malaysia.

"Parliamentary oversight over MACC is even more imperative than ever. In addition, it is time the government introduces clear conflict of interest laws and regulations for all public servants with regards to assets they are allowed to own.

"There are also legitimate questions being raised as to the legality of the share purchase, which must be answered," she said.

Yeoh said the oversight bodies tasked to provide accountability over the commission must consider themselves the bastions of transparency and provide check and balance for the MACC.

"These include Acab, the Special Committee on Corruption, Complaints Committee, Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel, and the Operations Review Panel."

IDEAS also said that the statement issued by Acab chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang may also not fully address public concerns pertaining to the integrity of the MACC.

The statement issued was in reference to previous allegations made by former Acab panel member Dr Edmund Terence Gomez regarding the integrity of Acab, specifically disturbing allegations regarding the “nexus between business and law enforcement” and a “conflict of interest” situation between Azam and his alleged extensive ownership of corporate stock.

Ideas is an independent think tank guided by the vision to inject Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj's values into Malaysia's public policy debates.