A lawmaker has called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to clarify the “pros and cons” of Tan Sri Azam Baki’s share purchase saga which was discussed at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.
Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo also wondered if there was interference by the Cabinet, highlighting that the Attorney General (AG) should instead probe the matter.
Gobind’s call came as PKR Youth members gathered at the road leading to Parliament this morning, demanding the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner step down.
Gobind readout Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s quote in MalaysiaKini where the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) said: “It was discussed at length the pros and cons relating to Azam’s share ownership at the Cabinet meeting this morning.”
“I would like the prime minister to confirm if this matter was discussed. Secondly, I would like to know (what were) the pros and cons,” Gobind said in Parliament today.
“The Securities Commission (SC) has investigated, the Cabinet discussed it, but it was said the Cabinet discussed the pros and cons.
“Did the Cabinet yesterday instruct the SC to come up with the second statement?”
He said the matter was “very important” as if it was true, it showed there was interference.
Azam was recently implicated as having owned several shares in two companies. In breaking his silence on Jan 5, Azam said he allowed his younger brother to use his trading account to buy the shares.
On Tuesday, the SC said it could not “conclusively establish” if Azam had broken the law over his ownership of shares after investigating the matter.
In another statement yesterday, the SC “arrived at the decision that there was no breach of Section 25(4) of the Securities Industry (Central Depositories) Act 1991 (SICDA).”
Gobind said the AG should investigate the matter.
“In Malaysia, we have the Federal Constitution. Article 145(3) clearly states the AG, at his discretion, has the power to institute or determine if there is a case.
“How is it that the SC investigated, Cabinet discussed the pros and cons, and the prime minister said we must accept the findings of the SC.
“What about the role of the AG? Has the AG been isolated?
“We in Parliament must respect the Federal Constitution. If the power is given to the AG, it is for the AG to decide. The prime minister and the Cabinet have no power to stop the AG.
“The prime minister must answer this.”
Gobind said the “whole world is looking at this case”, adding that the “issue of transparency is important”.
