YOURSAY | MACC chief’s exoneration fails to pass the smell test

YOURSAY | ‘After all, Azam lied about account being used by brother.’

No need to replace Azam Baki as MACC chief - Wan Junaidi

Kim Quek: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar should be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for misleading Parliament with his exoneration of MACC chief Azam Baki from his share ownership scandal.

The real issue is the potential corruption arising from Azam’s acquisition of millions of shares, and not whether he has breached the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991 (Sicda) as claimed by Junaidi.

Based on information available in the media, Azam has apparently committed the following offences:

1. Violation of MACC Act 2009

2. Breach of Public Services Regulations for failing to report his share acquisition

3. Lying to the nation for claiming the shares were not bought by him but by his brother who used his account

Two days ago, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in Parliament that the government will not protect anyone involved in corruption.

So, we now request the PM, who is Azam’s superior, to break his golden silence over the past two months and announce to the nation the latest status with regards to this Azam-gate scandal.

OrangePanther1466: The Securities Commission (SC) was only interested in breaches of securities laws and in this, it has found none.

It thus meant that Azam lied about his account being used by his brother. So the real question is, where did Azam get the funds to purchase those shares? That should have been the subject of the investigation on Azam.

The law minister is trying to fool the rural folks who do not understand the issues at hand. This is an obvious cover-up for Azam perhaps in return for him ensuring sensitive files remain buried.

Anonymous_47029368: Indeed, the SC has only confirmed that Azam owned and control his stock trading account and that his brother had his own personal trading account.

If so, the crux of the matter all along on whether the shareholdings of Azam exceeded the allowed limits for a civil servant is still left unanswered.

Aisyalma: It’s the same scenario as with the Altantuya Shaariibuu case - no need to find out the reason why those convicted wanted to murder her.

Why did Azam and SC contradict each other on the issue of the shares – Azam claimed the shares belonged to his brother who used his trading account to buy them while SC apparently claimed otherwise?

It’s as if the SC is advising Azam that it would be a better defence if he just admit he owns the shares. But even then, how is owning such huge amounts of shares not a breach of government regulations?

Meanwhile, there is complete silence from Public Services Commission.

Isn’t credibility an utmost important attribute for the position of MACC chief? If you ignore this, any future statement or action on anti-corruption from the government will not be taken at face value.

Just a Malaysian: Scene 1: Azam caught having shares in companies and could not explain how they got there.

Scene 2: Azam says they belong to his brother.

Scene 3: Azam contravenes SC rules by allowing his brother to trade using his account.

Scene 4: SC says investigation confirms Azam’s brother did not use his account to trade.

Scene 5: Government says Azam is cleared of all charges. Rakyat watch with mouth open and in disbelief.

BobbyO: Nothing will change in this nation until it is forced to change. Ethics, integrity, honesty, principles, reputation and whatever is right, are just mere words spoken by politicians and civil servants.

They are there to protect each other and their illegal activities. They need each other to scratch each other’s back. To hell with the nation and its 32 million people. After all, they are equally guilty by keeping these leaders in power.

But the time will come when the cracks that are widening will end in a disaster. The treasury will be empty. Law and order will be in the hands of the powerful. Jobs and food will be scarce or so expensive they are out of reach of the ordinary man.

This is because compromising on ethics and principles over time will lead to the nation’s downfall.

It will be too late for the ordinary man as he sold his vote for that fistful of ringgit. His life will be in tatters. His family may end up on the streets, but those in power will continue to live in luxury.

That time will come. We already got a foretaste of it when Covid and the floods ravaged this nation. Covid and the floods are still doing their damage.

But the worst damage that is occurring in this nation is due to incompetent, corrupted leaders.

So carry on Junaidi, sweep the dirt under the carpet. As far as you and your family are concerned, they won't be affected.

Demi Rakyat: "In a written parliamentary reply, he (Junaidi) said the finding by the SC should be accepted by all parties."

The SC basically said that Azam lied when he said the shares "belonged" to his brother!

We believe the SC. So, when is Azam going to resign?

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