The Borneo Post

Probe into MACC head’s case being run in accordance with law — Minister

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KUCHING: The government is giving its assurance that the investigat­ion on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commission­er Tan Sri Azam Baki would be done in accordance with the law.

In stating this, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar also said the case was being probed by the Securities Commission (SC) and the police, adding that the views from the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) would be taken into considerat­ion.

“I am aware that many are demanding for action to be taken against Datuk Seri Azam.

“However, I would also like to remind everyone that this matter is still under investigat­ion and we are only able to make a decision upon the completion of the investigat­ion by the SC and the police.

“Pending this, I hope that everyone would stay calm as we are trying our best to resolve it in the best manner possible,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Commenting on Azam’s share ownership in a public-listed company, Wan Junaidi said the initial price of the share was not expensive to acquire, adding that when they were first purchased in 2016, the whole one million shares were only valued at RM330,000 – between 30 sen and 33 sen per share.

He then said the current size of the shares that Azam was holding, was an accumulati­on over the years.

“Based on the initial price, it was not an expensive share to acquire. I believe that to many of us, it’s affordable.

“For those who are active in stock market trading, it is also normal to gradually increase your shareholdi­ng over time, especially when you see the potential,” said Wan Junaidi, adding that there was no law or regulation preventing any government servant from acquiring shares in public-listed companies.

Under the Public Officers Regulation­s Act (Conduct and Discipline) 1993, government servants are only prohibited from trading in futures markets locally and abroad, while those who own shares in public-listed companies are required to declare them as assets.

Meanwhile, on demands to place MACC under Parliament, Wan Junaidi said this was not a simple matter and thus, it must be looked into carefully.

He also said in order for MACC to be effective, the anti-graft body must operate independen­tly.

“The establishm­ent of MACC under the MACC Act 2009 is to ensure the commission’s independen­ce – this must not be compromise­d in any way,” he pointed out.

 ?? ?? DATUK SERI DR WAN JUNAIDI TUANKU JAAFAR
DATUK SERI DR WAN JUNAIDI TUANKU JAAFAR

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