KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has been urged to immediately come clean over his share ownership scandal in two public-listed companies.
Members of parliament from the opposition bloc, in a joint statement today, said Azam should not wait to tell the truth.
They were referring to Azam's recent statement in which the MACC chief said he would not resign from his position as "one day, everyone will know the truth."
Azam is currently embroiled in a controversy involving the purchase of millions of shares in two public-listed companies in 2015.
"Azam held a press conference on Tuesday saying he would not be resigning and would instead reveal the truth one day when the time is right.
"Azam should not wait for an eventual day but should reveal the truth now to clear his name.
"The MACC chief also claimed he is not a politician but his actions speak otherwise. He is clinging on to power and refusing to even take leave when an ongoing investigation is taking place.
"This is akin to how former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak acted prior to 2018 when he was embroiled in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd corruption scandal," the statement read.
The statement was jointly issued by 21 MPs including Sivarasa Rasiah (Sungai Buloh); Dr Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam); Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun); Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai); Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (Pulai); Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (Beruas); and Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Parit Buntar).
Yesterday, Azam filed a RM10 million defamation suit against activist Lalitha Kunaratnam, in which he also sought a public apology over the publication of articles regarding the purchase of company shares last year.
The 21 MPs, however, told Azam to stop the harassment against whistleblowers, while calling on the authorities to focus on investigating Azam instead of taking his word for it.
"Police investigations being opened pursuant to police reports lodged by MACC against whistleblower Lalitha, who exposed the alleged company shares being owned by Azam and those which may be held in proxy by his younger brother, is clearly a harassment by MACC instead of respecting her position as a whistleblower.
"The government should cooperate with whistleblowers who have released damaging evidence and acknowledge their contributions instead of treating them like wrongdoers."
The MPs also urged for an independent investigation to be conducted under Parliament, describing the scandal as an urgent national issue.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his government need to act fast on this matter as the actions of the authorities so far do not show Perikatan Nasional taking corruption issues seriously."