SPA to determine whether MACC chairman will be placed on leave while investigation is underway

Malaysia – Tan Sri Rais Yatim stated today that the Public Service Commission would decide whether Tan Sri Azam Baki should take a leave of absence from his job as the chairman of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) awaiting the outcome of current investigations into his suspected proxy stock trading.

The tradition, according to Rais, president of Dewan Negara and head of the Special Committee on Corruption (SCC), is for government employees under investigation to be placed on leave or suspended from their responsibilities.

“When cops are interrogated, they are frequently suspended,” he said this morning at a news briefing in Parliament.

According to Rais, Azam’s stock trading issue may be more of a “misconduct” than a “criminal offense.”

Despite this, he feels Azam should take a short break while investigations are ongoing.

“However, I’d want to point out that there are people in higher positions who did not take time off while investigations were continuing.”

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He continued that it is up to the SPA to take action and make a decision, while using the Malay abbreviation for the Public Service Commission.

Since the subject has been a cause of disagreement and is being discussed openly on social media last month, Rais said the SCC has convened twice over Azam’s share sale and suggested an investigation.

According to him, the SCC suggested that the Securities Commission, police, SPA, and the Public Service Department (JPJ) launch probes.

The investigations, he claimed, will be able to establish the facts about the volume, timing, and value of the shares moved through Azam’s stock trading account.

He noted that in 1993 and 2002, the government issued circulars prohibiting civil officials from purchasing shares worth greater than RM100,000.

“We’ll wait for the SPA, JPA, PDRM, or SC report. However, the issue of the declaration of property must be raised as proof,” Rais stated.

He also stated that the SCC will provide its findings to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as soon as possible.