Break silence over allegations against MACC chief, Gobind tells PM

By admin-s On Jan 3, 2022

DAP’s Gobind Singh Deo has urged Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to break his silence and address the serious concerns raised against Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki.

(FMT) – The Puchong MP said the MACC Act 2009 is clear and seeks to promote integrity and accountability in public and private sector administration.

Gobind cited Section 2 of the Act that talks about promoting integrity and accountability of public and private sector administration and Section 5 of the Act that provides for the appointment of the MACC chief commissioner, who shall be responsible for the direction, control and supervision of all matters relating to the body.

“Is the prime minister not committed to these objectives? If he is, how does silence over these allegations around the chief commissioner, the one responsible for the commission, measure up?

“He cannot be quiet over a matter as significant as this. MACC comes under the prime minister’s department and he must take full responsibility for it.

“Silence reflects weakness on his part in dealing with the problem,” he said in a statement today.

Gobind added Ismail must set an example and show that integrity and accountability are key aspects within the MACC, too.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang had also called on Ismail to end his two-month “conspiracy of silence” surrounding the allegations against Azam and his alleged extensive ownership of corporate stock.

Academician Edmund Terence Gomez had resigned as a member of the MACC’s Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel on Dec 27, saying it failed to discuss reports implicating the top leaders at the anti-graft agency.

However, panel chairman Borhan Dolah responded by saying that Gomez did not name Azam in his emails, while MACC Advisory Board chairman Abu Zahar Ujang was quoted in a Utusan Malaysia report as saying they had not received any letter from Gomez in regards to the allegations against Azam.

Zahar was also reported to have said that Gomez could have brought his complaint to him or filed a police report so appropriate action could be taken.