Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan pointed out that MACC chief commissioner Abd Halim Aman had said the case was still active while the investigation was far from complete.

This means Azam’s recommendation to file charges against two people over the case was premature and careless, said the DAP vice-chairman.

“(Azam’s) statement was made while MACC was still in the midst of questioning former minister Rafizi Ramli. Questions arose at the time as to how MACC could already recommend charges when the investigation itself was incomplete.

“Halim’s statement proved that investigations are ongoing and that more information is required, including from people abroad. So how could Azam recommend filing charges when investigations are still ongoing?

“Azam’s premature statement is a good example of the turmoil the commission is embroiled in,” he said in a Facebook post.

Yesterday, Halim said MACC is seeking mutual legal assistance to obtain statements from several people in Taiwan and the UK regarding the RM1.1 billion deal involving the economy ministry and the UK-based semiconductor firm.

Halim, who took over as MACC chief on May 13, added that the probe might take some time since it involved two other jurisdictions.

MACC had recorded statements from 26 people in its probe, including Rafizi and his former aide, James Chai.

Syahredzan said Azam’s premature statements only contributed to the already-severe trust deficit plaguing the anti-graft agency, despite Malaysia’s improved standing in the annual corruption perceptions index.

“As an anti-corruption agency, MACC’s reputation should be completely untarnished,” he maintained.

The DAP MP nonetheless said Halim’s transparency was a “good start” to restoring public confidence in MACC.

“Under its new leadership, MACC must ensure it no longer takes any action that could erode public confidence and it must rebuild its credibility day by day.”