When is Azam going to end MACC paralysis in the RM9 billion LCS scandal?

When is the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Azam Baki going to end MACC paralysis in the RM9 billion littoral combatants ships (LCS) scandal?

The Judiciary has started the process to restore its credibility, legitimacy and integrity. When will the MACC begin to do so?

I have asked for Azam’s resignation as MACC Chief Commissioner as he had been caught red-handed telling two conflicting stories about MACC investigations into the RM9 billion littoral combatant ships (LCS) scandal.

On August 11, 2022 the MACC issued a statement saying that it had completed its investigation papers on individuals linked to the LCS scandal, that the investigation papers had been handed to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) and the MACC had made recommendations on what charges to file against these individuals and waiting further instructions after the AGC had studied the papers.

In the middle of August, the former Boustead Heavy Industries Corp (BHIC) managing director and vice executive chairman, Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor was charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court involving RM21.08 million under Section 409 of the Penal Code.

But the three charges of Ahmad Ramli predated the LCS scandal and had nothing to do with it and concerned other defence procurements.

The Letter of Award (LOA) for the supply of six LCS at the total value of RM9 billion was issued on 16th December 2011 but the three charges levelled against Ahmad Ramli predated the LOA.

Azam decided to play “deaf, bljnd and dumb” despite my repeated statements asking him to clarify that the three charges against Ahmad Ramli had nothing to do with the LCS scandal but concerned other defence procurements.

On Sept. 8, however, Azam said MACC needed more time for its investigation into the LCS scandal as MACC needed time to summon more witnesses, including a few who were overseas.

Can we expect an answer from Azam?

Malaysians not only want the judiciary, the MACC and other institutions like the Attorney-General Chambers, the Election Commission, Suhakam and the Police to begin to restore their credibility, legitimacy and integrity, but other aspects as well like press freedom and respect for human rights.

In this process, upholding press freedom should be one of the KPIs of the Minister for Communications and Multimedia and Annuar Musa should intervene to resolve the two press freedom cases of the NST and the Edge, involving the NST group editor Ahmad Lokman Mansor and the former Edge chief editor Azam Aris.