PETALING JAYA: Media reports related to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's personal shareholdings should be based on facts and not perceptions, says Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.
The MACC Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR) chairman said all parties should not make speculations that purportedly portray a failure of compliance by Azam.
"The LPPR takes serious note of the Bloomberg media report involving the MACC chief commissioner and its implications for the integrity and credibility of the institution as a whole.
"It should be assessed based on facts and processes rather than through perceptions formed by incomplete or unbalanced reports," he said in a statement on Thursday (Feb 12).
"The LPPR would like to emphasise that the integrity of the MACC as an enforcement institution cannot be judged through allegations or narratives that are misleading and not based on facts, especially when it ignores the checks and balances mechanism and the role of an independent monitoring body established by law," he added.
Bloomberg had in a recent report suggested that there could be a breach in government regulations in terms of shareholdings by Azam.
Azam had reportedly remarked that his acquisition of shares was conducted transparently and did not violate any laws.
Mohamad Salim said based on the review and explanations provided, the asset declaration requirement has been clearly submitted to the Chief Secretary of the Government in accordance with the Public Service Circular in line with the effective public service governance framework and through the designated official channels.
"As one of the five independent monitoring bodies of the MACC established under Section 13 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act, the LPPR has a clear role to advise, examine and evaluate the Commission's progress in terms of policy, strategy, governance and the effectiveness of its implementation.
"The transparency and professionalism of the MACC remains subject to continuous monitoring by the LPPR, including through the scrutiny of annual reports and providing comments and views to the Special Committee on Corruption, as provided for by the Act," he said.
"The LPPR will continue to carry out its responsibilities independently, objectively and reliably, without being influenced by external pressure, to ensure that the MACC continues to function efficiently, with integrity and the trust of the people," he added.
