The government has ruled out setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) at this stage to investigate allegations involving former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki, saying authorities must first complete their investigations.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the relevant agencies are still examining allegations relating to Azam’s alleged share ownership as well as claims of a so-called “corporate mafia” operating within the MACC.
According to Azalina, the government believes investigators should be allowed to carry out their work independently, transparently and thoroughly in accordance with the law before any further action is considered.
“The government believes that any follow-up action must be based on the findings of the investigation to ensure every decision is grounded in facts, justice and the rule of law,” she said in a written parliamentary reply.
Azalina was responding to a question from Lim Guan Eng, who asked why the government had not established an RCI into allegations that Azam Baki held shares exceeding the limit permitted for civil servants, as well as claims of the existence of a “corporate mafia” within the anti-graft agency.
She explained that the formation of an RCI cannot be done immediately, as it is governed by the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950 and must go through several legal and administrative procedures before receiving approval.
These include the preparation of a Cabinet memorandum by the lead ministry, which must then be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration before any decision on establishing an RCI can be made.
