KUALA LUMPUR: The government has assured that the probe into Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki will be done in accordance with the law.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the case was currently being investigated by the Securities Commission (SC) and the police, and said views from the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) would be taken into consideration.
"I am aware that many are demanding for action to be taken against Azam. However, I would like to remind everyone that this matter is still under investigation and we are only able to make a decision on the matter upon completion of the investigation by the SC and the police.
"Pending the completion of these investigations, I hope that everyone will stay calm as we are trying our best to resolve it in the best manner possible," he said in a statement today.
Commenting on Azam's share ownership in a public listed company, Wan Junaidi said the initial price of the share was not expensive to acquire, adding that when the shares were first purchased in 2016, the one million shares were only valued at RM330,000 and approximately priced between 30 sen and 33 sen per share.
He said the current share size Azam was holding had been accumulated over the years.
"Based on the initial price, it was not an expensive share to acquire. I believe it is affordable to many of us.
"For those who are active stock market traders, it is also normal to gradually increase your shareholding over time, especially when you see the potential," he said, adding there was no law or regulations preventing government servants from acquiring shares in public listed companies.
Under the Public Officers Regulations Act (Conduct and Discipline) 1993, government servants are only prohibited from trading in futures markets locally and abroad, while those who own shares in public listed companies are required to declare them as assets.
Meanwhile, on demands to place MACC under Parliament, Wan Junaidi said this was not a simple matter and needed to be looked into carefully.
He said in order for MACC to be effective, the anti-graft body must operate independently.
"The establishment of MACC under the MACC Act 2009 ensures the commission's independence and this should not be compromised in any way," he added.