I won't quit, only Agong can terminate me - Azam Baki

I won't quit, only Agong can terminate me - Azam Baki


MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, who is under pressure following calls for him to quit, said only the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the power to terminate him.

Azam (above) said he has already "submitted himself" to be investigated by the MACC's panels and the truth will be known in the end.

He insisted that he will not jump to the rhythm of any party with a specific political agenda.

"I am firm and will be steadfast in my stand not to resign because there is no need for me to step down," he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian in an interview yesterday.

"Only one individual, who is most qualified to terminate my duty, is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Other than that, I don't care about whatever demands by certain quarters."

Azam said the first thing he would do is to give feedback to the MACC's advisory panel.

"They are the people I need to respect and who should know about the matter first. After they are briefed on the matter, it is up to them to make a decision.

"If there is a need to refer (the matter) to another agency or committee, I have no problem, they can assess it.

"I hope all parties can be patient about finding out the truth. One day, at the right time, everyone will know the truth," he said when asked why it has taken so long for him to respond to the allegations made against him.

Azam stressed that he had followed all the protocols and did whatever he was supposed to do.

He said he had never appealed to any quarters or political parties to be in his favour regarding his share ownership.

"Just let these parties assess and look at cases reported by the media, for now.

"There is no need for me to respond. I am not a politician but a high-ranking government official who has many duties that need to be focused and resolved," he said.

Did not do anything wrong

Azam has been embroiled in controversy over his acquisition of millions of shares in two public-listed companies in 2015. He admitted to allowing his brother to use his trading account to buy those shares.

According to Excel Force Bhd's 2015 annual report, Azam owned 2,156,000 warrants in the company as of March 21, 2016. At the time, he was the head of MACC's investigation division.

Azam said he did not do anything wrong as the shares were bought by his brother, who only used his name.

Pakatan Harapan wanted Azam and MACC Anti-Corruption Advisory Board chairperson Abu Zahar Ujang to be suspended pending a probe into the shareholding scandal.





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