Latest Macc Scandal Shows Reforms Needed Urgently Abim Tells Pm

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Muslim youth group Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) has raised concerns about allegations that have undermined the credibility of the MACC and reminded Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob of the urgent need for reform.
In a statement issued on the latest scandal, which surrounds MACC chief Azam Baki, Abim president Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz (above) said that this will further erode the people's trust in the government, including the institutions entrusted to maintain dignity and good governance in the federal administration.
"Abim urges the government under the leadership of Ismail Sabri to immediately fulfil the promises enshrined in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pakatan Harapan to carry out transformation and reform in administrative governance.
"This transformation specifically refers to strengthening the institutions of Parliament as mentioned in Article IV of the MOU.
"These urgent reforms need to be made immediately to the MACC, in particular, to ensure that it is an independent institution that is fully accountable to Parliament to ensure that the body is free from executive interference.
"This includes placing full power on the institution of Parliament by consensus to appoint the MACC director-general as well as the commissioners who are responsible for various areas of responsibility of the body," said the Abim president.

MACC chief Azam BakiHe said that Abim was concerned that if these changes are not made, the same issues plaguing the country will continue to recur in the future.
"To save the country from slipping into worse turmoil, the political will to make change must be there," he said.
Azam is being investigated by the Securities Commission (SC) after he was alleged to have owned somewhere between 1.9 million to 2.9 million shares in Gets Global Bhd in 2016.
The MACC chief also owned 2.15 million warrants in Excel Force MSC Bhd.
At the material time, Azam was the MACC investigations division director.
His share ownership had raised questions on whether it was commensurate with his income as a public servant and conflict of interest concerns.
He has denied wrongdoing and said that his brother had used his account to acquire the shares.
Last week, senior MACC enforcement officer Shahrum Nizam Baharuddin was charged with the misappropriation of RM25 million cash evidence linked to a major corruption case.
In April 2021, two MACC officers were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and believed to be linked to the "Nicky Liow Gang", an organised crime syndicate. - Mkini

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