Malaysia denies Anwar delayed disclosure of probe into MACC chief, threatens legal action

Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki during a press conference on March 4.

Photo: AFP Malaysia’s government has said it “strongly denies” a claim made in a news report that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sought to delay the release of findings from an investigation into the country’s anti-corruption chief, and will take legal action over the allegation.

The latest claim has sharpened scrutiny of Anwar, whose reformist image and anti-corruption credentials have come under strain amid a series of allegations involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and its chief commissioner, Azam Baki.

Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources, that Anwar had urged officials not to immediately publish the findings of a special committee set up to examine Azam over questions linked to alleged illicit shareholdings.

A high-powered special committee led by Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, chief secretary to the government, was formed in February following public anger over allegations concerning Azam’s shareholdings and whether they complied with civil service rules.

The committee presented its findings to Anwar’s cabinet on March 11.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s reformist image has come under strain amid allegations involving the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and its chief commissioner.

Photo: dpa The government said it “strongly denies the allegations” in Bloomberg’s latest report, and stressed that it had launched a review of Azam’s conduct over possible breaches of ethical and disciplinary standards for civil servants. “The proceedings have processes and procedures that need to be followed.

Any further developments will be updated from time to time,” Shamsul said in a statement late on Tuesday. “On this issue, the Attorney General’s Chambers will take further action against Bloomberg regarding the [latest] allegation.” Anwar’s anti-corruption credentials had already taken a hit in February after a series of Bloomberg reports alleged wrongdoing involving MACC officers and Azam.

In one report, Bloomberg described allegations that some senior MACC officials were aware of, or connected to, a network accused of pressuring corporate players into deals or share sales.

Azam has denied all wrongdoing and accused media reports of being malicious and misleading.

In a separate news conference on Wednesday, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said the prime minister had given his commitment to release the findings

原文链接: 南华早报