COMMENT | Azam’s conduct not judged by competent authority

COMMENT | Sometimes, seeing photographs and reports in newspapers rekindles events and happenings of the past, many of which would have been consigned to the archives to gather dust in a steel cabinet.

But if you followed an issue, such reports provide the spur to pursue it further. A photograph of two characters in the fight against corruption together last week provided that spark.

It was not too long ago that the chairperson of the parliamentary Special Committee on Corruption, Rais Yatim, was at odds with the views of Abu Zahar Ujang who chairs the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board.

While Abu Zahar was adamant in exonerating MACC chief Azam Baki (above) on his share trading and related matters, Rais said the view was that Azam should go on leave while the authorities are investigating his corporate share ownership.

“In this matter, the facts surrounding (the case involving) Azam is not criminal or not a criminal act, but perhaps (a matter) of misconduct or not carrying out his duties,” Rais was then quoted as saying.

This was in January when Azam was...