"I DO NOT NEED TO TAKE LEAVE," SAYS AZAM BAKI

SEPANG, 15 Feb (Bernama) --  Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has stressed that there is no need for him to take leave following allegations and related issues raised against him, and that he will continue to carry out his duties as usual.

Speaking at a press conference after attending the opening of the “Kampung Angkat MADANI” programme here today, he said no criminal charges had been filed against him to date, and therefore, there was no basis for him to take leave.

“I do not need to take leave. If I were to take leave, I would ask how many individuals currently facing charges in court are still on duty.

“There are former finance ministers who remained in office while under investigation. So what is the problem? Have I committed a criminal offence?” he said.

Azam expressed confidence that the Special Investigation Committee established to look into the allegations against him would conduct its probe transparently and professionally, and also pledged to extend full cooperation, including submitting any documents required.

“I leave it to the committee to carry out its responsibilities, and I am ready to provide whatever documents or evidence are needed.

“I will show the Special Investigation Committee personal documents, such as bank statements, but I will not disclose them to parties that are not related to the investigation,” he said.

Azam further said he has already given full cooperation to the police in their ongoing investigation.

“I have met them and will furnish them with the same documents that I will submit to the committee,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azam confirmed that he had issued a letter of demand (LOD) to Bloomberg and would proceed with legal action if the media firm failed to respond to it within the stipulated 14-day period.

Previously, media reports said various parties had called for Azam to be relieved of his duties following a Bloomberg report alleging that he owned shares in a financial services company, based on corporate filings.

However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last Friday that there was no immediate need to do so, and that the matter should first be referred to the special committee set up to investigate the claims.

The special committee is chaired by Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, and also includes Public Service Director-General Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.

-- BERNAMA