PAKATAN Harapan (PH) threw their support behind parliamentary Special Committee on Corruption chairman Rais Yatim for urging Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Azam Baki to go on leave while under probe.

The PH Council of Secretaries said Rais’ statement supported the strong call from various parties, including members of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (LPPR), civil society groups and almost all political parties for a full and independent investigation.

“We welcome the statement by Rais Yatim, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee (JKMR) and president of the Senate, yesterday where he said Azam should be suspended while a full and independent investigation is carried out on Azam’s shares purchase issue.

“The statement also broke Azam’s argument to ‘clear’ his name by trying to drag the Yang di-Pertuan Agong into the issue by claiming that his service could only be terminated by the king,” the statement read.

The statement was signed by Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR), Dr Hatta Ramli (Amanah), Anthony Loke (DAP) and Nelson Anggang (Upko).

Rais yesterday said, according to normal practice, those under investigation for misconduct would be suspended from duty, but added that there were also cases where higher-ranked individuals were not asked to go on leave while their case was being investigated.

Azam is currently embroiled in a controversy involving the purchase of corporate shares between 2015 and 2016, while he was the MACC’s director of investigations.

Rais said the committee was also of the view that the declaration of Azam’s assets should be the fundamental issue in the ongoing investigation.

The council said Azam should not have dragged the Agong into the debacle in the first place before urging the government to act sternly against Azam.

“Azam should know that the appointment by the king does not grant any legal immunity from the offence committed.

“The Council of Secretaries is of the view that Azam now has no choice but to go on leave until all investigations against him are completed.

“If he refuses, we urge the prime minister to listen to all parties on this issue, including government leaders, and take firm action to suspend Azam,” the council added. – January 15, 2022.