Joint Statement: Civil society groups respond to MACC crisis

Given the current controversy over the shareholdings in MACC chief Azam Baki’s name, we, the undersigned civil society organisations, demand:

that the authorities headed by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob put in motion a much-needed independent investigation to restore the credibility of the MACC
that the authorities demand that the following individuals/entities answer pertinent questions, in particular:
- How could the MACC chief have allowed his brother to buy shares on his securities account when it could be a violation of the Security Industry (Central Depositories) Act?
- Why did the MACC advisory board chairperson allegedly disregard the views of the other members of the advisory board and rely on his personal opinion to exonerate Azam Baki?
- Why did the other members of the advisory board remain silent about the complaints raised by Dr Terence Gomez after they attended a meeting on 24 November to discuss them?
that the MACC advisory board releases the minutes of its 24 November to show on what basis it exonerated Azam Baki without a proper investigation
that Azam Baki goes on leave pending the outcome of the investigation
that Azam Baki withdraws the letter of demand against the whistleblower and that reforms to the Whistleblowers Protection Act be undertaken to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers
that the government implements serious reforms to make the MACC independent, along the lines recommended by four groups in 2015
that the MACC be removed from the Prime Minister’s Department and be placed under the oversight of a bipartisan parliamentary special select committee

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