This would help preserve the people’s confidence in Parliament as a check on the executive branch, the organisations said in a statement.

Signatories to the statement include the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih), the Institute for Political Reform and Democracy, ENGAGE, Undi18, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), the Wisdom Foundation and Bait Al-Amanah.

With the select committee set to meet on Jan 19 to discuss the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner’s corporate share ownership, and which Azam is set to attend, the groups said it is “not enough” to just summon him.

“The PSC should call all parties involved in this issue, including Lalitha Kunaratnam who made the report, former MACC chiefs, and the relevant regulatory authorities investigating or having purview over the matters concerned. They can provide information and clarification, and test the veracity of allegations and counter allegations in this case.

“We also urge that the hearing sessions be conducted openly and broadcast live on official channels of parliament and the government so that the people’s confidence in the institution of parliament to act as an effective check and balance over the executive remains intact.”

The report from these meetings should then be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for debate, the groups said.

Among the issues the groups said must be addressed include the source of the funds used to purchase the shares, the extent of Azam’s shareholdings, whether he benefitted from his shareholdings and whether they were disclosed according to the Public Officers Regulations Act (Conduct and Discipline) 1993.

Further, the PSC must ask whether he participated in decision making that affected the operations of companies in which he is alleged to own shares.