DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh said it was only appropriate for the AGC to step in now to investigate the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief’s alleged securities law breach.

“The conflicting accounts with Azam first saying his trading account was used by his brother, while SC later saying the account was used by Azam only is enough to arouse suspicions.

“It’s enough to get the AGC to open an investigation into the matter,” he said.

He added that a source within the SC who told FMT that it need not refer the matter to the AGC was wrong, as it was common to have the attorney-general review such findings. He also asked the SC to state if the source’s claim was also its official stand.

“It is for the AGC to review the SC’s findings. The AGC also has the power to get the relevant body in the SC to conduct further investigations if it finds the need for it.

“Indeed, in the case of Teoh Beng Hock, the AGC had referred the investigation papers back to the MACC on a number of occasions despite the latter’s findings that there was insufficient evidence from its investigations.

“The SC can ill afford being seen as being involved in a cover-up and if indeed it is true that its investigations show that Azam did not commit an offence, then it is best that the matter is referred to the AGC to confirm the same,” he said.

SC had said it could not “conclusively establish” if Azam had broken the law over his ownership of shares after gathering evidence and completing its inquiry into the matter.

In response, Azam said the SC had cleared him of any wrongdoing and that he had been informed that the commission had closed its inquiry into the matter.