It is disconcerting that de facto law minister Wan Junaidi Jaafar offered excuses for beleaguered Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki before full investigations could be held.
Junaidi claimed the amount invested by Azam was an “affordable” RM330,000.
Whether or not the amount is affordable is beside the point.
Instead of trying to justify Azam’s controversial action, Junaidi should have requested Azam to appear before a parliamentary special select committee and a genuinely independent high-level inquiry.
We are also appalled by the blind support of the three deputy MACC commissioners, who dismissed the allegations against Azam as “motivated by politics of revenge to discredit MACC’s image and credibility”.
The only thing tarnishing the MACC’s image is the delay in setting up a high-level independent inquiry.
The foot-dragging in holding a hearing of the parliamentary Special Select Committee on Agencies in the Prime Minister’s Department is also disappointing. Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman of Pas chairs this nine-member committee comprising two Umno MPs, two Pas MPs (including Abdul Latiff), one Gabungan Parti Sarawak MP, three Pakatan Harapan MPs and one Warisan MP.
The secretary of the Dewan Rakyat should set a date for the special select committee hearing immediately.
Aliran executive committee9 January 2022
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.