Parliamentary Special Committee on Corruption to meet on Jan 13

SEREMBAN: The Parliamentary Special Committee on Corruption will meet on Jan 13 to deliberate on the controversy surrounding Tan Sri Azam Baki.

The topics to be discussed would include whether it is necessary for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief to take leave while he is being investigated, said Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim, who heads the committee.

He said the committee was duty -bound under Section 14 of the MACC Act to conduct the deliberations and then make the necessary recommendations to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“I can’t say much for now, but one of the agenda for the meeting is Tan Sri Azam Baki.

“This is to give my members the opportunity to express their concerns regarding the issue, and we will then make the necessary recommendations to the Prime Minister,” he said when contacted.

Section 14 of the MACC Act states that the functions of the Special Committee on Corruption include advising the Prime Minister on any aspect of the corruption problem in Malaysia, to examine the annual report of the Commission, and to examine the comments of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board.

Rais, who is a former minister, said the committee would also want to know what exactly transpired in Azam’s case.

Azam had, on Wednesday, admitted that his younger brother used his securities account to acquire shares in several companies.

He also said he had explained to the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board that his share account had been used by his brother to buy shares in the open market with the latter’s funds.

“The committee will also be interested to know in detail what steps will be taken by the authorities and if the Securities Commission or the police have started their investigations,” Rais said.

“We will also deliberate if he should take leave for the rule of law to take place.

“I will make a media statement after the meeting so that the public will know what was deliberated and our recommendations,” said Rais.