Embattled MACC Chief Says He Won't Resign As Only Agong Can Decide His Fate
"I hope all parties can be patient first to find out about the truth. One day, at a suitable time, everyone will know the truth," he told Sinar Harian.
By Sadho Ram — 12 Jan 2022, 05:04 PM
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, who is embroiled in a major shareholding scandal, has said that there is no need for him to step down from his post
Instead, Azam has asked everyone to be patient because the truth will come out eventually.
The MACC chief told Sinar Harian in an exclusive interview that he has put himself forward to be investigated by MACC's committees and believes that one day everyone will know the truth.
Azam stressed that he has followed all the protocols and did what should have been done.
"I hope all parties can be patient first to find out about the truth. One day, at a suitable time, everyone will know the truth," he told Sinar Harian yesterday, 11 January.
This comes after mounting pressure on Azam to quit due to the controversy involving the purchase of millions of shares in two public listed companies in 2015 when he was the MACC director of investigations.
According to Azam, the only one who can decide his fate is Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah
"I am firm and steadfast in my stand to not resign [...] only one individual who is most qualified and who can terminate my duties is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong; other than that, I don't want to bother about whatever demands are championed by any quarters," he was quoted as saying.
Azam added that, as the MACC chief commissioner, he doesn't need to adhere to the wishes of any party with a specific political agenda and will give his feedback to the MACC's Anti-Corruption Advisory Board.
When asked why he did not immediately address the allegations regarding the acquisition of the shares, Azam asserted that there was no need for him to respond to such matters as he is not a politician
According to Azam, he is a senior civil servant with a lot on his plate.
"I am not a politician, but a senior government official with a lot of work that must be given due attention and resolved. To me, there is no need actually for me to tell the public, as later it would seem as if I have no other work to do," he said, adding that he also never pleaded with anyone to side with him.
