PM: Thorough probe into MACC chief's case needed before taking any action

KOTA KINABALU: Investigations into alleged share purchases linked to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki need to completed before any action can be taken, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabrii Yaakob.

He said that the Securities Commission (SC) was currently investigating the matter and the government will follow due process.

“They will call Azam Baki to get an explanation from him. This is being done by the SC so we will wait for their decision.

“If there are other investigations by the police or otherwise, we will wait for it.

“We cannot jump to conclusions by assuming that Azam Baki is guilty. When the decision is made, then we will take action,” he said.

Asked if the government would set up an independent body to investigate, Ismail Sabri said they could not do so and added that he believed in and was confident with the existing system.

He said the investigation would be left to the SC as they were the best authority to do so.

Ismail Sabri, who was visiting Sabah’s northern flood-hit Kota Marudu and Pitas areas Saturday (Jan 8), dismissed claims that the government was not taking action.

He also said the internal inquiry by the MACC advisory board was carried out before the SC investigation.

He said the MACC was an independent body created to replace the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) which was then under the Prime Minister’s Department after claims it was under the government’s control.

“Now they are asking us to interfere. We must be consistent and no one can be punished unless found guilty by a court of law,” he added.

Asked if Azam would go on leave, Ismail Sabri said when the former Penang chief minister was previously charged in court with corruption, there was no call from Pakatan Harapan for the chief minister to resign or go on leave.

“He continued to be chief minister. Why the double standards. Allow the investigations to complete,” he said.