PH’s presidential council said Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) chairman Abu Zahar Ujang must go on leave since he has lost the confidence of his board members, citing the statement made by six ACAB members contradicting Abu Zahar.
It also said Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (CCPP) chairman Borhan Dolah should also go on leave since he refused to initiate a probe on Azam.
“This is despite the possibility that Azam had committed an offence by allowing his account to be used by his brother by proxy in the trade of shares and warrants.
“A new leadership that is clean, professional and independent is needed to lead the ACAB and CCPP in order for MACC’s integrity and credibility to recover,” it said in a statement today.
The statement was signed by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau.
The council also voiced concern over the statement made by the three MACC deputy chief commissioners in support of Azam in which they claimed that he was a victim of “revenge politics”.
It said their statement in support of Azam was “weird” and “hasty”, adding that all three senior officers should know that their comments could be interpreted as an attempt to influence the investigation on the MACC chief.
It urged the three deputy commissioners – Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya, Norazlan Mohd Razali and Junipah Wandi – to lodge a police report and allow the police to probe their claims.
“Their open statement looked like the actions of politicians in a political party, rather than officers of an esteemed agency like the MACC,” it said.
PH reiterated that a special Dewan Rakyat sitting needed to be held to discuss the issue surrounding Azam a day before or after the Jan 20 special proceedings to discuss the flood disaster.
At a press conference last week, Abu Zahar cleared Azam of any wrongdoing, saying the MACC chief had clarified that the shares were not his but that he willingly allowed his younger brother to use his trading account.
Police have confirmed that a report had been filed against Azam which has since been referred to the Securities Commission Malaysia for further action.
We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.