Azam Case: Abu Zahar’s statement did not speak for us – 6 ACAB members say now

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 – Six board members of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board (ACAB) today released a press statement saying that a statement made by ACAB Chairman Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang at a press conference on January 5, did not reflect their views on the matter of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki.

At the press conference, Abu Zahar had implied that his statement on Azam Bakri and his alleged ownership of shares in two public listed companies was made with the consensus of the ACAB members in full.

He had said that after a lengthy discussion following a meeting with Azam Baki on November 24, 2021 the Board found that Azam did not have any pecuniary or beneficial interest on the issue of purchased shares of the amount reported.

Abu Zahar had also said that the Board was satisfied with the explanation given by Azam and added that there was no crime committed or conflict of interest in the matter.

Today, six members of the Board, namely Tan Sri Ismail bin Omar, Datuk Seri Azman bin Ujang, Datuk Seri Akhbar bin Satar, Datuk Dr. Hamzah bin Kassim, Datuk David Chua Kok Tee and Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohammad Agus bin Yusoff said:

“We categorically wish to state that the Board members at that meeting or at any time thereafter did not express such
opinion as Abu Zahar attributed to.

“We also wish to state that these comments were entirely Abu Zahar’s personal view.”

The six Board members also said that prior to the press conference, they had a separate discussion with Abu Zahar and proposed that the matter be further referred to an Independent Committee; ii) the Parliamentary Special Committee on Corruption; and MACC’s Complaints Panel.

“However, our views and proposals were not raised at Abu Zahar’s press conference.

“The ACAB has no investigation power as it is established as an Advisory Board.”

The six also said they had to provide the clarification in order to safeguard the integrity of the Board and the institution.
— WE