At a press conference, Abu Zahar said the six members had done so based on the unpopular reaction from the general public and several parties, which he said was caused by media reports that were not accurate and holistic.
He also said he will leave it to the government and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide if he should remain as the ACAB chairman.
“I have to state my sadness at the statement issued by my six colleagues on Jan 8 that aimed to distance themselves from the Jan 5 press statement, which I believe was because of the unpopular reaction from certain parties and the community solely because it was not reported accurately and comprehensively by the media,” he said.
Abu Zahar explained that on Jan 6, ACAB member Azman Ujang had started a chat in an ACAB WhatsApp chat group by sending a message to him stating: “The issue is getting hotter and hotter.”
Another member, David Chua, then replied: “LPPR (ACAB) needs to meet and discuss this matter urgently and come up with a clear statement to state (our) position by early next week. Keeping silent is not an option.”
This was followed by a message from another member, Ismail Omar, who said: “Yes, we’re meeting on Jan 11. Need to address relevant issues.”
He said that after receiving this feedback from the ACAB members, he agreed to conduct a closed-door meeting at 10am today.
“Suddenly, on Jan 8, I found that all six ACAB members held a meeting among themselves first and issued a press statement. I feel that the statement was really regrettable,” he said.
Abu Zahar has come under fire after clearing Azam of misconduct during a Jan 5 press conference, especially after opposition MPs had highlighted that ACAB had no mandate to investigate or clear anyone of wrongdoing.
He admitted that he was aware the ACAB did not have the power to conduct its own investigations into criminal activities involving any MACC officer and that the board could only give advice and suggestions.
However, he did not say why he had made the statement clearing Azam of any wrongdoing.
He said he was ready to be investigated by the relevant agencies if there was a need to, adding that it was crucial to maintain MACC’s position as an institution that had the public’s trust.
Abu Zahar left the room at the MACC headquarters without taking any questions.
Earlier, several members of the media had arrived late for the event after they were held up at the front gates of the building. Several photographers were not allowed entry into the room.
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