PUTRAJAYA (March 4): Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s chief commissioner  (MACC) Tan Sri Azam Baki has declined to comment on questions related to ‘Corporate Mafia’ allegations surrounding the graft buster.

At a press conference on the updates of its latest investigations, the chief commissioner was asked on Cabinet discussions on the potential setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on the matter, pending the completion of a separate probe by a special task force chaired by the Attorney-General.

“I will not comment on the matter,” Azam Baki told reporters. “I will not respond to questions related to issues involving me.”

Azam Baki is being probed by the task force — which includes Public Service Department director general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and Treasury secretary general Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican — over a news report by Bloomberg alleging his share ownership in Velocity Capital Partner Bhd (KL:VELOCITY) that supposedly exceeded the amount permitted for a civil servant. He has denied any wrongdoing and has provided his statement to the task force.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat that the task force’s scope may be expanded to include ‘corporate mafia’ allegations.

Bloomberg in another article also accused the anti-graft agency of aiding a group of businessmen, dubbed a “corporate mafia,” in taking control of public-listed companies. Both Azam and MACC have denied the allegations.

When asked whether news agency Bloomberg has responded to his letter of demand seeking damages over the reports, Azam Baki said, “I will not comment on that either. If you would like to ask, ask my lawyer.”