Police to investigate Azam report

Urgent aid: Hamzah handing over replacement identity documents and essential items to flood victim Azizah Noordin at the Taman Sri Nanding Community Hall in Hulu Langat. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Police will investigate a report against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki following his admission that his younger brother had used his securities account to acquire shares in several companies.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said they had taken note of the police report lodged against Azam.

“We just received the report, but we will investigate according to certain Acts,” he said at a press conference during a visit to Taman Sri Nanding flood victims in Hulu Langat yesterday, where he also handed over identity documents to those who lost theirs during the flood.

Earlier yesterday, PKR Youth chief and Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai), Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya) and Dr Mazlee Malik (Simpang Rengam) lodged the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.

Fahmi told reporters they had urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation under Section 25 of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991 (Sicda) and Public Service Circular No. 3, 2002.

Fahmi said Azam should also be temporarily relieved of his post until the probe was completed.

“If the investigation proves that he did not commit any wrongdoing, he can continue serving,” he added.

Fahmi also wanted investigations conducted by a third party or an independent body such as Parliament or the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Akmal Nasrullah said police should also investigate the source of funds used by Azam’s brother for the share purchase.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Azam said he had explained the matter to the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board, claiming that his share account had been used by his brother to buy shares in the open market with the latter’s financing.

In a statement on Thursday, the Securities Commission said it would seek clarification from Azam and gather evidence on the use of his share trading account by his brother Nasir to buy shares in 2015.

According to the statement, Section 25 of Sicda stipulates that every securities account opened with the central depository must use the beneficial owner’s name or the authorised nominee of the securities. — Bernama