Differing views in PAS over MACC chief issue

PETALING JAYA: It appears that PAS is at odds over the latest stock trading controversy involving Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki as its youth wing and one of the party’s leaders issued differing statements.

In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, PAS Youth called on Azam to go on leave as MACC chief pending investigations into the controversy.

Later in the evening, the party’s secretary-general, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, issued a statement welcoming Azam’s explanation.

“It was the right move as it concerns MACC’s integrity as the national anti-graft agency,” he said in the statement.

Takiyuddin added that PAS was confident that Azam’s explanation would be scrutinised by the authorities.

PAS Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said Azam should go on leave as MACC chief until all investigations into the matter have been completed.

“This is to ensure transparency in investigations and to prove the government’s seriousness in upholding the rule of law,” said Ahmad Fadhli.

He also said that PAS Youth had followed the issue closely and believed the government should take immediate action and conduct independent investigations.

“This must be taken seriously in order to address any negative perception towards the government and the country, as well as ensuring that integrity is upheld,” added the Pasir Mas MP.

Azam had said he would cooperate with the Securities Commission (SC) over the matter and they are expected to meet next week.

In explaining the issue on Wednesday, 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 from Gets Global Bhd and Excel Force MSC Bhd between 2015 and 2016 when Azam was the MACC director of investigations.

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