Make the findings public, group holds Anwar to promise of transparency in Azam-gate probe

An anti-corruption pressure group has reminded Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of his promise to make public the outcome of an investigation into Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki, following revelations that he purchased millions company shares in violation of a government directive for civil servants.

Malaysians Against Government and Institutional Corruption (Magic) warned that silence over the findings of the report means Putrajaya is going back on its word that the probe into Azam would be transparent.

"On March 3, Anwar assured Parliament that the matter would be addressed through a transparent process and that due process would prevail.

"Yet today, despite confirmation that an investigation report has already been prepared and reviewed at Cabinet level, the public remains in the dark as to its outcome," said Magic founder Mahajoth Singh.

Yesterday, the government confirmed it had received the report from a three-member investigation committee led by Attorney-General Mohd Dusuki Mokthar, but stopped short of announcing its findings.

Instead, the government said it had instructed Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar to take follow-up action.

"I will not comment on the contents of the report, as the next steps will be carried out by Shamsul Azri," said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Mahajoth said the prime minister's assurance in Parliament was "a commitment that Malaysians are entitled to expect will be honoured".

"The prime minister must remain true to the assurance he gave in Parliament and inform Malaysians, without further delay, of the outcome of the investigation," he added.

Last month, Bloomberg published two explosive revelations concerning Azam’s unusual wealth and shocking details of his ties with rogue individuals.

It reported that Azam held millions of shares worth approximately RM800,000 in a listed company, in violation of a government circular prohibiting public servants from such holdings.

Azam has since admitted to purchasing the shares last year, while still the MACC chief.

This was followed by another Bloomberg report on Feb 12, linking Azam to a group of people known as the "corporate mafia", which it said worked in cahoots with the MACC to prey on businessmen and forcefully seize ownership of public-listed companies.

The revelation renewed calls for Azam to be removed as the MACC chief commissioner, and for the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry into the allegations.

Anwar, who has extended Azam's tenure three times, has scoffed at calls to remove Azam.

"The man does his work, why do you want to fire him? Read his explanation. It's a disease. Why do you condemn people who do work? Wrong," Anwar famously replied when answering questions from the press hours after the Bloomberg report.

Mahajoth said the government must provide "a clear and candid account" of the outcome of the investigation.

"There can be no legitimate justification for information of such profound public importance to be withheld from the rakyat," he said.