PSC meeting on Azam put off pending legal opinion

PETALING JAYA: The parliamentary select committee (PSC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the controversial share dealings of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Azam Baki has been postponed.

In a statement, parliament secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin said the meeting, which involved the PSC on Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department, has been moved to a different date to be decided later due to issues that needed to be referred to the legal adviser of Parliament.

According to Malaysiakini, PSC chairman Abdul Latiff Rahman said he had corresponded with Azam, who raised concerns that the Jan 19 meeting could breach the Dewan Rakyat standing orders.

“Azam said that the hearing might be ultra vires the provisions under the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952,” the report said.

Azam had further argued that as he had filed a defamation suit against whistleblower Lalitha Kunaratnam, the discussion may be considered by the courts in his suit.

The dealings of the MACC’s head honcho have garnered the attention of MPs and civil society alike, with many calling for his resignation.

He is alleged to have bought millions of shares and warrants in public-listed companies worth over the RM100,000 cap on equity holdings placed on civil servants.

He has since explained that his brother, Nasir Baki, had bought the shares using his account, which were then transferred to Nasir’s account shortly after. — Free Malaysia Today