Probe Macc Chief Too Maszlee Says After Cops Summon Him Over Azam Protest

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Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik today advised the police to also be proactive in investigating reports against MACC chief Azam Baki.
This comes after Maszlee was summoned to give his statement at the Putrajaya district police headquarters this morning for being present during a PKR Youth protest against Azam five days ago.
According to the Dewan Rakyat member, he was not sure if police have already called Azam to have his statement recorded, despite the top graft buster being the "main subject" of the protest.
"Firstly, I would like to thank the police for its efficiency in carrying out its duty to investigate me, although my presence that day was only to watch PKR Youth submit their memorandum to MACC.
"Apparently, today it is an offence for us to witness (people delivering memorandum).
"And one thing that is odd, the main subject in this issue, Azam Baki, up until now I do not know if he has also been called up (by police) as what has been done with PKR Youth and me, who witnessed the memorandum submission," he told members of the press earlier today.
Maszlee, who is a former education minister, spoke to the media outside the Putrajaya police headquarters after he was done giving his statement to investigators.
On Monday, a group of PKR Youth members held a protest outside MACC headquarters where they demanded Azam's resignation over a scandal involving ownership of 2 million shares in a publicly listed company.
Besides Maszlee, police have also called up several PKR Youth leaders for investigations following the protest.
Azam came under scrutiny recently after allegations surfaced about him having owned shares in two companies back in 2015.
According to Excel Force Bhd's 2015 annual report, Azam owned 2,156,000 warrants in the company as of March 21, 2016. At the time, Azam was the head of MACC's investigation division.
However, in a press conference on Jan 5, Azam said he did not do anything wrong as the shares were bought by his brother, who only used his name.
Speaking about the scandal, Maszlee supported calls for the government to set up an independent investigation body and suggested that former inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador be its leader.
Maszlee said Hamid, who led the police force for two years between May 2019 and May 2021, is known to be a credible person and this makes him suitable for the job.
"We need someone who we can trust to lead (the proposed) independent investigation. For example, the former IGP Hamid, whom we have seen as someone we can trust to lead such an independent body to probe this case.
"Because this is a big case. MACC is an entity that is tasked to fight corruption. But if the very person that leads the commission is seen to have lost the people's trust, the issue must be addressed." - Mkini

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