KUALA LUMPUR (July 8): The government has declined to disclose stockholdings of former anti-graft agency chief Tan Sri Azam Baki, denying a backbencher request for the information.
The information forms part of investigation documents, personal information and asset declarations protected under existing laws, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Azalina Othman Said’s written parliamentary reply dated July 7.
"Therefore, it is not a public document," she said.
Azalina was responding to Petaling Jaya member of Parliament Lee Chean Chung, who had asked the prime minister to disclose Azam's share purchase transactions between 2012 and 2026, as well as the periods during which his total shareholdings exceeded RM100,000.
Azam, who retired as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on May 13, came under scrutiny earlier this year following a Bloomberg report on his shareholding in financial services firm Velocity Capital Partner Bhd (KL:VELOCITY), which allegedly breached civil service rules on share ownership. He has denied any wrongdoing.
A three-member special investigation committee led by Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar was subsequently formed to investigate the matter, with its findings later presented to the Cabinet.
Former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli had alleged that the investigation uncovered about RM14 million worth of shares held by Azam across nine companies.
However, the investigation report has not been made public and no action has been announced to date.
Azalina reiterated that issues relating to Azam's asset ownership and declarations, including his shareholdings, had been examined by the committee, which conducted its investigation independently, transparently and professionally.
"The government assures that all relevant aspects, including share ownership and compliance with the applicable regulations, were examined during the investigation, and appropriate action has been taken based on the committee's findings," she said.
Azalina added that any official developments or decisions deemed appropriate for public disclosure would be announced by the Office of the Chief Secretary to the Government.
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